Distribution of symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren of Shiraz, south of Iran.

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to study the prevalence rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and differences between subtypes in school age children of Shiraz, south of Iran. METHODS A random sample of 2000 school age children from both genders was selected. A parent-completed, DSM-IV-referenced rating scale of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms was used. RESULTS About 10.1% of participants obtained screening cutoff scores for attention deficit hyperactivity; 13.6% in boys and 6.5% in girls. The most common type of probable attention deficit hyperactivity in boys and girls was the hyperactive-impulsive type of attention deficit hyperactivity and the least frequent type was the combined type of attention deficit hyperactivity. CONCLUSION The rate of probable attention deficit hyperactivity in Shiraz, southern Iran is very similar to other counties and it is more common in boys than girls.