Abstract
Aim:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This neurobehavioral disorder significantly impairs academic performance and overall well-being. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of ADHD among medical students in Pakistan, a population where the disorder may be underdiagnosed and under recognized.
Methods
A total of 276 medical students from different years of their medical education in various medical colleges of Pakistan participated in this cross-sectional study,with data collected from May to July 2024. Data were collected through a validated self-administered online questionnaire incorporating the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v25. Descriptive statistics summarized the data; Chi-square tests determined associations between ADHD symptoms and categorical variables
Results
The prevalence of suspected ADHD cases were 43.84%. The results also showed that there was no correlation between gender and ADHD (0.095). However, found a significant relationship between ADHD and the year of study (p = 0.009), with the fifth year revealing high rates of ADHD. Additionally this study found a correlation between ADHD suspicion rates and academic performance (p = 0.002) and attendance (p = 0.007), indicating that students with suspected ADHD had lower academic achievement and a lower attendance percentage.
Conclusions
This study shows that the percentage of medical students diagnosed with ADHD in Pakistan is significantly higher than in other countries. The disorder is linked to academic and health challenges, emphasizing the need for greater recognition and timely diagnosis.