[Epidemiological data about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a sample of Marabino children]

AIMS

This study reports the findings of a research project aimed at determining the rate of prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school aged children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Different behavioural and cognitive measures were administered to a sample of children between 3 and 13 years of age obtained by means of a multistage sampling procedure that was stratified by socioeconomic and educational level. The sample was made up of 394 children; 33.25% (n = 131) were females and the remaining 66.75% (n = 263) males. The mean age of the sample was 7.64 years old (SD: 2.33). The assessment battery included the Conners Rating Scales adapted for parents and teachers, the abbreviated version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC III) and for Preschool children Revised (WPPSI R), several academic achievement scales, development history and DISC IV.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of ADHD was 10.15%, and a figure of 2.03% was obtained for the hyperactive type, 0.51% for the inattentive subtype, and 7.61% for the combined subtype. Prevalence was higher for males, the ratio being 3:1. Subjects performance in the cognitive and academic measures was within the average interval.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of ADHD in our population oscillates around the average figures reported in other countries. This study confirms the prevalence of ADHD in the population of Venezuela, with a distribution of subtypes and in terms of gender similar to those reported in the literature.

[Estimations of the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Marabino children]

AIMS

This study reports the findings of research aimed at determining the rate of prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children of school age.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

The epidemiological study was conducted using a community sample extracted by means of multi stage stratified sampling according to socio economic level and schooling and consisted in 1,141 children of both sexes of school age from the city of Maracaibo. The revised Conners scales were used to collect data.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of ADHD was 7.19% and we also obtained 0.35% for the hyperactive type, 1.14% for the disattentional subtype, and 5.70% for the combined type. Contrary to what was expected, prevalence was higher for females. It was found that 7.45% of the general sample scored higher on the academic problems scales, whereas for the sample identified as having ADHD, academic problems were 50% and the comorbidity between ADHD and academic problems was confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

The estimates for prevalence found in this study are consistent with those reported in the literature, which suggests that ADHD is a valid diagnosis for Marabino children.