title: [Prevalence of and screening for ADHD in Costa Rica].
abstract: This research project sought to estimate the prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to determine if the Swanson  Nolan and Pelham Rating Scale IV (SNAP-IV) Spanish version is a useful screening tool in a population of Costa Rican school children. The  SNAP-IV Spanish version was given to the parents and teachers of 425 children aged 5 to 13 (mean 8.8).  All subjects were also assessed with  the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn and Pelham Scale (SKAMP), along with diagnostic confirmation by clinical interview. The sensitivity  and specificity of the SNAP-IV was assessed as a predictor of DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis. The point prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity  Disorder (ADHD) in this sample was 5%. The prevalence of ADHD among girls was 7%, while that among boys was 4%. The optimal screen  was the teacher-rated SNAP-IV at a 20% cutoff, which had a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 82%. Parent sensitivities were lower than  teacher sensitivities. SNAP-IV teacher ratings with a cutoff isolating the top 20% of scores correctly categorized 87% of children.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nacional de Niños, San José, Costa Rica. monicaberrocal@post.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berrocal
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Peskin
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Jovita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monge
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGough
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chavira
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bagnarello
authors.forename: Luis D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mathews
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D003364:Costa Rica; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence