Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity and other disruptive behaviour disorder symptoms among primary school-age children in Kayseri, Turkey

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD), and their influencing factors on primary school-age children. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2045 students, 7–15 years old, who were randomly selected from seven schools in Kayseri, Turkey, in 2012. Participants were stratified by socioeconomic status. Data were collected using the Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Behavioural Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S). For statistical analyses, the t -test and analysis of variance were used. Results Rates of disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs) among children were as follows: ADHD, 6.2%; CD, 14.4%; and ODD, 6.7%. The prevalence of ADHD was higher in boys and children whose mothers were homemakers and from poorly-educated and low-income families, compared with their peers. CD was more prevalent among boys and children 13–15 years old, whose parents had low income levels and were separated. ODD was higher in boys and children whose mothers were homemakers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the overall prevalence of DBDs in our study area is 27.4%, which is similar to the pooled worldwide prevalence. Adverse family factors are closely associated with the prevalence of DBDs.