title: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder among school children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence and determinants of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms among school children in Kinshasa, an African urban setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 18-items of the Disruptive Behaviour Disorder rating scale (DBD), which is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorders 4(th) edition (DSM-IV), were used to investigate the presence of ADHD symptoms. Parents interviews, using a questionnaire specially designed for the study, were performed to identify socio-demographic characteristics. All children were subject to a clinical examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated prevalence of DSM-IV ADHD symptoms was 6%. Those with family health problems, younger age at start of primary school, good nutritional status and poor school performance more often had DSM-IV ADHD symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADHD symptoms are as common among school children in Kinshasa as elsewhere. The socio-demographic factors described as risk factors for ADHD in high-income countries were not identified in this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Kinshasa University Hospital, Kinshasa, Congo. esperance_Kashala@yahoo.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kashala
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tylleskar
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Elgen
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kayembe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sommerfelt
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population