Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and disorder (ADHD) among African children : a review of epidemiology and co-morbidities : original

Objective : To review literature from Africa on the epidemiology of ADHD as well attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and associated co-morbid conditions among African children. Method : A literature search was done through Pubmed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar using then following terms, "atte...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAfrican journal of psychiatry Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 358 - 361
Main Author Bakare, M.O.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published In House Publications 01.09.2012
Subjects
Africa
Attention deficit
Disorders
Hyperactivity
Symptoms
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Objective : To review literature from Africa on the epidemiology of ADHD as well attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and associated co-morbid conditions among African children. Method : A literature search was done through Pubmed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar using then following terms, "attention deficit", "hyperactivity disorders", "epidemiology", "co-morbid conditions", "Africa". Nine studies met the inclusion criteria with four studies coming from South Africa, two each from Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria respectively and one from Ethiopia. Results : The prevalence of ADHD varied with rates of between 5.4% and 8.7%, amongst school children, 1.5% amongst children from the general population between 45.5% to 100.0% amongst special populations of children with possible organic brain pathology. Common associated co-morbid conditions were oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder as well as anxiety/depressive symptoms. Conclusion : Published data from Africa is limited. For effective healthcare policy further studies are needed to define the magnitude and burden of ADHD and other childhood neuro-developmental disorders in Africa.
ISSN:1994-8220