Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University

Abiha Ahmad; Areeba Maryam; Muhammad Asjad Abdullah; Aina Saleem; Azeef Ali; Dr Mohtashim Hina

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

J Pub Health Comm Med. 2026; 5(2): 143-150

doi: 10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University

Abiha Ahmad, Areeba Maryam, Muhammad Asjad Abdullah, Aina Saleem, Azeef Ali, Dr Mohtashim Hina.

Abstract
Background:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that, if unrecognized, can hinder academic and social functioning. As future healthcare providers, medical students should possess adequate knowledge for the timely identification and management of ADHD. This study assessed ADHD-related knowledge and awareness among medical students in Pakistan.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted at Rawalpindi Medical University over four months. Using consecutive sampling, 274 MBBS and Allied Health Sciences students from all academic years were recruited; those with prior ADHD diagnoses were excluded. A validated questionnaire assessed demographics, awareness, and knowledge (21 scored items). Knowledge scores ranging from 1–13 were categorized as poor, while scores of 14–21 were categorized as good. Data were analyzed in SPSS 27 using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ANOVA, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results:
Of the participants (182 females, 92 males), 80.7% identified ADHD’s full form, yet 56.2% had poor knowledge (mean score 11.8 ± 4.58). Females scored significantly higher than males (p = 0.033), and older students (>23 years) outperformed younger peers (p = 0.013). Academic year strongly influenced knowledge (p < 0.001), with senior MBBS students scoring higher than juniors and Allied Health Sciences students.
Conclusion:
High awareness but limited knowledge of ADHD was observed, with deficits in diagnostic criteria and management. Targeted educational interventions, particularly early in the curriculum and reinforced during clinical rotations, are recommended to prepare future physicians for effective ADHD recognition and management

Key words: Keywords: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Knowledge; Mental Disorders; Students, Medical; Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Ahmad A, Maryam A, Abdullah MA, Saleem A, Ali A, Hina DM. Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2026; 5(2): 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

Web Style

Ahmad A, Maryam A, Abdullah MA, Saleem A, Ali A, Hina DM. Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. https://www.wisdomgale.com/jphcm/?mno=303939 [Access: June 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Ahmad A, Maryam A, Abdullah MA, Saleem A, Ali A, Hina DM. Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2026; 5(2): 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Ahmad A, Maryam A, Abdullah MA, Saleem A, Ali A, Hina DM. Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. J Pub Health Comm Med. (2026), [cited June 27, 2026]; 5(2): 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

Harvard Style

Ahmad, A., Maryam, . A., Abdullah, . M. A., Saleem, . A., Ali, . A. & Hina, . D. M. (2026) Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. J Pub Health Comm Med, 5 (2), 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

Turabian Style

Ahmad, Abiha, Areeba Maryam, Muhammad Asjad Abdullah, Aina Saleem, Azeef Ali, and Dr Mohtashim Hina. 2026. Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 5 (2), 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

Chicago Style

Ahmad, Abiha, Areeba Maryam, Muhammad Asjad Abdullah, Aina Saleem, Azeef Ali, and Dr Mohtashim Hina. "Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 5 (2026), 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Ahmad, Abiha, Areeba Maryam, Muhammad Asjad Abdullah, Aina Saleem, Azeef Ali, and Dr Mohtashim Hina. "Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 5.2 (2026), 143-150. Print. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Ahmad, A., Maryam, . A., Abdullah, . M. A., Saleem, . A., Ali, . A. & Hina, . D. M. (2026) Knowledge and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Medical students at Rawalpindi Medical University. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 5 (2), 143-150. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20251221054829