Surveying the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms of Preschool Children Based on their Parents and Teachers report at Day Care Centers in Tabriz in 2003.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: ADHD is the most common behavioral problem in childhood. The studies identified the peak age of ADHD as occurring between three and four years of age, and to thirds of children in whom ADHD is later diagnosed would have been identifiable during the preschool years. However most studies on this disorder have been carried out in school age populations. Caring out such as this investigations in preschoolers is important from the view point of early detection, provision of help and prevention from complications. Pediatric nurses as a health consultants or health visitors can apply screening services to identifying behavioral problems and safety issues, and/or can play important role as a liaisons to other health professionals. Methodology: This research is a descriptive –comparative study with the aim of finding out ADHD symptoms of preschool children at day care centers in Tabriz based on their parents and teachers report. 273 children between the ages of three to five years of age as a study samples were randomly chosen from 31 day care centers and the questionnaires were completed u their parents and teachers separately. The questionnaire of ADHD symptoms consist of 15 bulletins for parents (ADHD-P) and 15bulletins for teachers (ADHD-T). The items in ADHD questionnaire were based directly upon DSN-III-R criteria for ADHD. However the criteria were modified slightly so that they would be more appropriate for preschool children. The questionnaire is based on "not at all", "just a little", "pretty much" and "very much" answers. The validity and reliability of ADHD scale were tested by means of content validity and test retest respectively. The statistics tests of the Mc-nemar, one way ANOVA, chi square, and independent t were used for information analysis. Results: Findings of research showed that 10.3 percent of children based on their parents report and 7.7 percent of them based on teachers report have the ADHD symptoms. Although comparison of their report is indicated that parents tend to report hyperactivity –impulsivity symptoms more than inattention symptoms. But there was no significant differences between parents and teachers report. Also there was significant correlate between the ADHD symptoms and birth of new child in family, aggravation of marital discord, and death of one of significance in child life. Conclusion: Whereas was no significant differences between parents and teachers report, using of each group reports may be useful in behavioral screening of preschool children aimed to identifying ADHD symptoms. Also with regard to high percent of ADHD in preschool children for nurses along careful evaluation of ADHD symptoms, families' psychopathology recommended.