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Authors:

1. Ahmad Naif AlHadi
2. Dina M Aldussary
3. Jawaher A Abanumy
4. Maha A Alghamdi
5. Nora A Alsahli
6. Sumaya A Alghamdi

Jouf University Medical Journal

10.12816/0058988

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) prevalence in children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was found to be 3.4–5%. ADHD is not an exclusive childhood disease although it has a childhood onset. Studies have shown that ADHD symptoms continue through adulthood in 50% and through adolescence in 70% of those who have it. Many studies have reported an association between ADHD and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and most of these studies were done on children. Increased video game use was predicted in ADHD symptoms and higher scores of IGD occurring among children with ADHD compared to those who do not have ADHD. However, fewer studies among adults have reported an association between ADHD and excessive gaming.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of ADHD and IGD among adults in Saudi Arabia, as well as to analyze their association.
Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2019 on adults through social media with convenience sampling. A self- administered electronic questionnaire was distributed to the participants, which included questions about demographics and Arabic versions of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and IGD-20 scale.
Results: 2076 adults completed our questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 33.66, and 34.1% were males. The whole sample showed a prevalence of 28.6% (n = 595) for ADHD and 4.8% (n = 100) for IGD. The prevalence of ADHD and IGD among gamers (n = 977) was 30.80% (n = 301) and 10.24% (n = 100), respectively. There was a significant association between ADHD and IGD (P <0.001). Gender (P = 0.029), monthly income (P = 0.004), being married (P = 0.003), having psychiatric disorder (P <0.001), having mood disorders (P <0.001), and anxiety disorders (P <0.001) were associated with ADHD. Education level (P <0.001) and family income (P <0.001) were associated with IGD.
Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of ADHD was very high and exceeded expectations, while the prevalence of IGD was consistent with world rates. There was a significant association between ADHD and IGD. More rigorous studies are needed.

Keywords

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), Prevalence, Riyadh, Adults

Citation

AlHadi, A.N., Aldussary, D.M., Abanumy, J.A., Alghamdi, M.A., Alsahli, N.A., & Alghamdi, S.A. (2021). The Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder, and their Association among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. JUMJ, 8(2), 45-56, doi: 10.12816/0058988