ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

Prevalence of ADHD in Northern Cyprus

1.

Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, TURKEY

2.

Near East University School of Medicine Department of Child Neurology, Nicosia, TRNC

3.

Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara, TURKEY

Alpha Psychiatry 2017; 18: 478-484
DOI: 10.5455/apd.250504
Read: 1376 Downloads: 577 Published: 01 October 2017

Objective: We evaluated the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among primary school children in Nicosia, a province of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Methods: ADHD screening scales were filled out by the teachers and parents of primary school children aged 6-11 years. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the Turgay DSM-IV-Based Disruptive Behavior Disorders Child and Adolescent Rating Screening Scale (T-DSM-IV-S) was sent to the parents of 1140 students and also given to the teachers of children whose parents filled out the T-DSM-IV-S. For the second stage, children and parents whose children had ≥12 points from the ADHD scales, either by the parents’ or teachers’ report, were invited to our clinic for a semi-structured interview (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children-Present and Lifetime; K-SADS-PL). ADHD was diagnosed with use of the K-SADS-PL in both children and their parents as well as in accordance with DSM-IV-TR ADHD criteria. Results: The response rate for parents in stage I was 49.9%. A total of 125 children fulfilled the positive screening criteria. Ninety-eight parents were interviewed. The prevalence of ADHD was 12.8%. The major subtype was combined type (61.1%); the inattentive type was present in 33% of the sample, and the hyperactive-impulsive type in 5.6%. Discussion: The prevalence of ADHD in primary school¬-aged children in a province in the TRNC was 12.8%. This is the first study to assess ADHD prevalence and subtype distribution in the TRNC. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2017; 18(5.000): 478-484]

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