Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuropsychiatric disorder of infancy and one of the most prevalent chronic diseases found in schoolchildren.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of ADHD in schoolchildren through the use of a questionnaire responded by school-teachers.


METHODS
A total of 774 children enrolled in the public and private school systems were evaluated. The diagnostic instrument used was a Teacher ADHD scale.


RESULTS
Results showed that 6.7% of children were considered highly likely to have the disorder. Of the more severe cases of ADHD, the hyperactive-impulsive subtype was more frequently identified in girls, while the inattentive subtype was more prevalent among boys.


CONCLUSIONS
The symptoms of attention deficit in hyperactive children may be underestimated by teachers since the symptoms of hyperactivity are more noticeable and disruptive.
Pondé
Milena Pereira
MP
Bahia School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, BA, Brazil. pondem@terra.com.br
Freire
Antonio Carlos Cruz
AC
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017149:Private Sector; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017150:Public Sector; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students