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Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren in Crete
Author(s) -
Skounti Maria,
Philalithis Anastas,
Mpitzaraki Katerina,
Vamvoukas Michail,
Galanakis Emmanouil
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.tb02312.x
Subject(s) - medicine , residence , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , rating scale , attention deficit , test (biology) , pediatrics , population , psychiatry , demography , clinical psychology , environmental health , developmental psychology , psychology , paleontology , sociology , biology
Aim: To explore the prevalence of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 7‐y‐old child residents of Crete, Greece. Methods: The study combined information from both parents and teachers for 1708 elementary school children attending the first grade in 101 classes of 55 primary schools. A two‐stage screening process was employed, including the ADHD test and a rating scale of student behaviour. Parents completed the ADHD test and teachers the rating scale of student behaviour. Results: Both questionnaires were completed for 1285 (75.2%) children. Among them, 84 children (6.5%; 95% CI 5.2–7.9%) met the study criteria for ADHD. The estimated prevalence was 8.8% for boys (95% CI 6.6–11.0%) and 4.2% for girls (95% CI 2.6–5.7%). No significant differences were observed regarding urban, semi‐urban or rural residence. Conclusion: By using a combination screening procedure, both the ADHD prevalence among first‐grade schoolchildren in Crete and the gender differences in prevalence were found to be comparable to those reported from other countries. The methods used and the problems faced illustrate the challenges involved in conducting population‐based studies of ADHD.