Prevalence of adulthood attention deficit / hyperactivity symptoms in students of Sistan and Balouchestan University

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in students of Sistan and Balouchestan University.

This cross sectional study was performed during second educational semester (2010). The sample included 403 students of Sistan and Balouchestan university who were selected by non random sampling after filling two questionnaires, including the demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Canner′s adult attention –deficit/hyperactivity (CAARS-S:OV) questionnaire. To analyze data we used SPSS-16 software.

Based on test scores of Canner′s adult test, results showed about 39 students (9.7%) in inattention-memory index and 32 students (7.9%) in the hyperactivity index had higher or much higher scores than average. In addition, 27 students (6.7%) and 38 others (9.4%) had higher or much higher scores in impulsivity-emotional index and problem with self concept, respectively.

According to the results, we suggest that the symptoms of hyperactivity and attention deficit are common among university students of Sistan and Balouchestan. For preventing educational problems and high risk behaviors such as drug use, further studies and appropriate preventive and treatment programs highly recommended.