Skip to content

Saudi ADHD Research

Below is a curated list of published studies related to different aspects of Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Saudi Arabia, including prevalence, awareness, diagnosis, language and communication, and review articles.

Additional studies from Saudi Arabia, including topics not featured on this page, are available in the research library. We also maintain a list of ADHD-related theses that have been made available online. If you would like your research featured here, or know of any publications in or about ADHD in KSA that you believe should be included here, please get in touch by email at research @ adhd.org.sa.

Note: Unless specifically stated, these studies were neither conducted by nor supported by the Saudi ADHD Society, and are provided as a resource for researchers only.

Review Articles

  1. Home
  2. Research Library
  3. doi
  4. 10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Open Access | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 | |
Authors:

Annals of African Medicine

10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Abstract

Background:
Studying mental disorders in children is significantly important due to the huge suffering of educational and psychosocial impairments in adult life. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common mental disorder in children, especially in early school-aged children. It manifests in about 8%–12% of children in the world. In Saudi Arabia, it affects 4%–12% of children.

Objective:
The study aimed to count the number of undiagnosed ADHD cases and the associated risk factors in Eastern Province in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed among girls’ and boys’ children aged 6–10 years old in Eastern Province in KSA with a random selection of parents. Sample size is equal to 1658. The assessment was done by an online questionnaire filled it by parents using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnostic criteria and Connor’s scale of ADHD excluding any developmental or mental disorder at the beginning of the questionnaire.

Results:
After excluding the participants who were diagnosed with behavioral and growth developmental disorder, the remaining 1430 have been screened for ADHD based on Connor’s scale. 185 of a child out of 1430 were suggested to have ADHD, of which 10 out of them show the signs of ADHD, 76 of them have moderately severe ADHD, and 99 out of them have atypical or severe ADHD based on Connor’s scale of ADHD. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD and gender males (71.35%), females (28.64%), family history (20.5%), nervous system diseases (4.32%), brain damage from trauma (9.72%), smoking habit of the mother (8.64%), smoking during pregnancy (3.78%), mother exposure to second-hand smoking (42.16%), child exposure to a toxic substance like lead during the early life (1.62%), and the preterm labor (15.13%). However, the study shows there is no significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD with age, drinking alcohol, and central nervous system infection.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD is slightly high. Also, it has many causes of ADHD including gender, smoking, parental psychiatric disorders, and obstetric and pregnancy problems.

Keywords

Attention; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Eastern Province; hyperactivity; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; prevalence

Citation

[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Foziah Jabbar AlShamrani,Noor AlMohish,Danah AlJaafari,Majed AlAbdali,Erum Shariff,Azra Zafar,Rizwana Shahid,Abdullah AlNahdi,Fahad AlDawsari,Shakel Ahmad,Ghusoon AlMoaibed,Narjes AlRamadhan,Munirah AlAbdulqader," year="2023" title="Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" volume="22" issue="4" journal="Annals of African Medicine" shortjournal="Annals of African Medicine" startpage="544" endpage="548" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/aam.aam_163_22"]

Prevalence

  1. Home
  2. Research Library
  3. doi
  4. 10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Open Access | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 | |
Authors:

Annals of African Medicine

10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Abstract

Background:
Studying mental disorders in children is significantly important due to the huge suffering of educational and psychosocial impairments in adult life. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common mental disorder in children, especially in early school-aged children. It manifests in about 8%–12% of children in the world. In Saudi Arabia, it affects 4%–12% of children.

Objective:
The study aimed to count the number of undiagnosed ADHD cases and the associated risk factors in Eastern Province in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed among girls’ and boys’ children aged 6–10 years old in Eastern Province in KSA with a random selection of parents. Sample size is equal to 1658. The assessment was done by an online questionnaire filled it by parents using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnostic criteria and Connor’s scale of ADHD excluding any developmental or mental disorder at the beginning of the questionnaire.

Results:
After excluding the participants who were diagnosed with behavioral and growth developmental disorder, the remaining 1430 have been screened for ADHD based on Connor’s scale. 185 of a child out of 1430 were suggested to have ADHD, of which 10 out of them show the signs of ADHD, 76 of them have moderately severe ADHD, and 99 out of them have atypical or severe ADHD based on Connor’s scale of ADHD. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD and gender males (71.35%), females (28.64%), family history (20.5%), nervous system diseases (4.32%), brain damage from trauma (9.72%), smoking habit of the mother (8.64%), smoking during pregnancy (3.78%), mother exposure to second-hand smoking (42.16%), child exposure to a toxic substance like lead during the early life (1.62%), and the preterm labor (15.13%). However, the study shows there is no significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD with age, drinking alcohol, and central nervous system infection.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD is slightly high. Also, it has many causes of ADHD including gender, smoking, parental psychiatric disorders, and obstetric and pregnancy problems.

Keywords

Attention; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Eastern Province; hyperactivity; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; prevalence

Citation

[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Foziah Jabbar AlShamrani,Noor AlMohish,Danah AlJaafari,Majed AlAbdali,Erum Shariff,Azra Zafar,Rizwana Shahid,Abdullah AlNahdi,Fahad AlDawsari,Shakel Ahmad,Ghusoon AlMoaibed,Narjes AlRamadhan,Munirah AlAbdulqader," year="2023" title="Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" volume="22" issue="4" journal="Annals of African Medicine" shortjournal="Annals of African Medicine" startpage="544" endpage="548" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/aam.aam_163_22"]

Awareness and Attitudes

  1. Home
  2. Research Library
  3. doi
  4. 10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Open Access | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 | |
Authors:

Annals of African Medicine

10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Abstract

Background:
Studying mental disorders in children is significantly important due to the huge suffering of educational and psychosocial impairments in adult life. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common mental disorder in children, especially in early school-aged children. It manifests in about 8%–12% of children in the world. In Saudi Arabia, it affects 4%–12% of children.

Objective:
The study aimed to count the number of undiagnosed ADHD cases and the associated risk factors in Eastern Province in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed among girls’ and boys’ children aged 6–10 years old in Eastern Province in KSA with a random selection of parents. Sample size is equal to 1658. The assessment was done by an online questionnaire filled it by parents using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnostic criteria and Connor’s scale of ADHD excluding any developmental or mental disorder at the beginning of the questionnaire.

Results:
After excluding the participants who were diagnosed with behavioral and growth developmental disorder, the remaining 1430 have been screened for ADHD based on Connor’s scale. 185 of a child out of 1430 were suggested to have ADHD, of which 10 out of them show the signs of ADHD, 76 of them have moderately severe ADHD, and 99 out of them have atypical or severe ADHD based on Connor’s scale of ADHD. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD and gender males (71.35%), females (28.64%), family history (20.5%), nervous system diseases (4.32%), brain damage from trauma (9.72%), smoking habit of the mother (8.64%), smoking during pregnancy (3.78%), mother exposure to second-hand smoking (42.16%), child exposure to a toxic substance like lead during the early life (1.62%), and the preterm labor (15.13%). However, the study shows there is no significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD with age, drinking alcohol, and central nervous system infection.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD is slightly high. Also, it has many causes of ADHD including gender, smoking, parental psychiatric disorders, and obstetric and pregnancy problems.

Keywords

Attention; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Eastern Province; hyperactivity; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; prevalence

Citation

[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Foziah Jabbar AlShamrani,Noor AlMohish,Danah AlJaafari,Majed AlAbdali,Erum Shariff,Azra Zafar,Rizwana Shahid,Abdullah AlNahdi,Fahad AlDawsari,Shakel Ahmad,Ghusoon AlMoaibed,Narjes AlRamadhan,Munirah AlAbdulqader," year="2023" title="Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" volume="22" issue="4" journal="Annals of African Medicine" shortjournal="Annals of African Medicine" startpage="544" endpage="548" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/aam.aam_163_22"]

Diagnosis

  1. Home
  2. Research Library
  3. doi
  4. 10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Open Access | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 | |
Authors:

Annals of African Medicine

10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Abstract

Background:
Studying mental disorders in children is significantly important due to the huge suffering of educational and psychosocial impairments in adult life. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common mental disorder in children, especially in early school-aged children. It manifests in about 8%–12% of children in the world. In Saudi Arabia, it affects 4%–12% of children.

Objective:
The study aimed to count the number of undiagnosed ADHD cases and the associated risk factors in Eastern Province in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed among girls’ and boys’ children aged 6–10 years old in Eastern Province in KSA with a random selection of parents. Sample size is equal to 1658. The assessment was done by an online questionnaire filled it by parents using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnostic criteria and Connor’s scale of ADHD excluding any developmental or mental disorder at the beginning of the questionnaire.

Results:
After excluding the participants who were diagnosed with behavioral and growth developmental disorder, the remaining 1430 have been screened for ADHD based on Connor’s scale. 185 of a child out of 1430 were suggested to have ADHD, of which 10 out of them show the signs of ADHD, 76 of them have moderately severe ADHD, and 99 out of them have atypical or severe ADHD based on Connor’s scale of ADHD. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD and gender males (71.35%), females (28.64%), family history (20.5%), nervous system diseases (4.32%), brain damage from trauma (9.72%), smoking habit of the mother (8.64%), smoking during pregnancy (3.78%), mother exposure to second-hand smoking (42.16%), child exposure to a toxic substance like lead during the early life (1.62%), and the preterm labor (15.13%). However, the study shows there is no significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD with age, drinking alcohol, and central nervous system infection.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD is slightly high. Also, it has many causes of ADHD including gender, smoking, parental psychiatric disorders, and obstetric and pregnancy problems.

Keywords

Attention; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Eastern Province; hyperactivity; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; prevalence

Citation

[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Foziah Jabbar AlShamrani,Noor AlMohish,Danah AlJaafari,Majed AlAbdali,Erum Shariff,Azra Zafar,Rizwana Shahid,Abdullah AlNahdi,Fahad AlDawsari,Shakel Ahmad,Ghusoon AlMoaibed,Narjes AlRamadhan,Munirah AlAbdulqader," year="2023" title="Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" volume="22" issue="4" journal="Annals of African Medicine" shortjournal="Annals of African Medicine" startpage="544" endpage="548" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/aam.aam_163_22"]

Language & Communication

  1. Home
  2. Research Library
  3. doi
  4. 10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Open Access | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 | |
Authors:

Annals of African Medicine

10.4103/aam.aam_163_22

Abstract

Background:
Studying mental disorders in children is significantly important due to the huge suffering of educational and psychosocial impairments in adult life. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered the most common mental disorder in children, especially in early school-aged children. It manifests in about 8%–12% of children in the world. In Saudi Arabia, it affects 4%–12% of children.

Objective:
The study aimed to count the number of undiagnosed ADHD cases and the associated risk factors in Eastern Province in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed among girls’ and boys’ children aged 6–10 years old in Eastern Province in KSA with a random selection of parents. Sample size is equal to 1658. The assessment was done by an online questionnaire filled it by parents using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnostic criteria and Connor’s scale of ADHD excluding any developmental or mental disorder at the beginning of the questionnaire.

Results:
After excluding the participants who were diagnosed with behavioral and growth developmental disorder, the remaining 1430 have been screened for ADHD based on Connor’s scale. 185 of a child out of 1430 were suggested to have ADHD, of which 10 out of them show the signs of ADHD, 76 of them have moderately severe ADHD, and 99 out of them have atypical or severe ADHD based on Connor’s scale of ADHD. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD and gender males (71.35%), females (28.64%), family history (20.5%), nervous system diseases (4.32%), brain damage from trauma (9.72%), smoking habit of the mother (8.64%), smoking during pregnancy (3.78%), mother exposure to second-hand smoking (42.16%), child exposure to a toxic substance like lead during the early life (1.62%), and the preterm labor (15.13%). However, the study shows there is no significant relationship between the positive screening of ADHD with age, drinking alcohol, and central nervous system infection.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD is slightly high. Also, it has many causes of ADHD including gender, smoking, parental psychiatric disorders, and obstetric and pregnancy problems.

Keywords

Attention; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Eastern Province; hyperactivity; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; prevalence

Citation

[research_citation style="APA" pubtype="journal" authors="Foziah Jabbar AlShamrani,Noor AlMohish,Danah AlJaafari,Majed AlAbdali,Erum Shariff,Azra Zafar,Rizwana Shahid,Abdullah AlNahdi,Fahad AlDawsari,Shakel Ahmad,Ghusoon AlMoaibed,Narjes AlRamadhan,Munirah AlAbdulqader," year="2023" title="Estimated Prevalence Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Eastern Province Children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" volume="22" issue="4" journal="Annals of African Medicine" shortjournal="Annals of African Medicine" startpage="544" endpage="548" articlenum="" doi="10.4103/aam.aam_163_22"]