Self-reported attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms among university students in Eldoret, Kenya.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of self-reported attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms among university students in Eldoret, Kenya.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study of all students who gave consent to participate in the study.


METHODS
Moi University's Town Campus, comprising the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Public Health.


METHODS
Four hundred and fifty eight undergraduate students, with a mean age of 23.7 years (17-46, S.D. 4.1), of whom 236 (51.5%) were male.


METHODS
Presence of ADHD symptoms as measured by the adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS versus 1.1).


RESULTS
The prevalence rate of self-reported ADHD symptoms was 21.8%. This was significantly associated with belonging to a younger age-group (17-20 years) compared to the older age-groups (p<0.05). The prevalence was higher among females (25.2%) than among males (18.6%), but this was not statistically significant. There was no significant association between a positive ASRS screen and course of study. Using a modification of ASRS full symptom checklist to approximate a DSM IV TR ADHD diagnosis yielded a prevalence of ADHD symptoms of 9.2% in this cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence rate of ADHD symptoms among university students in Eldoret, Kenya is significantly higher than that reported in other studies. Further studies are needed to generate more information about this condition in the low-income countries, especially in college and university populations.
Department of Mental Health, Moi University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4606 - 30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
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Atwoli
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Owiti
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Manguro
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Ndambuki
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult