On the attitudes of adolescents, parents, teachers, and pediatricians toward the tendency to treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background and Objectives: Although Up to 90% of adolescents with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain functionally impaired, but less than half continue to take medication. In developing countries little is known about factors influencing willingness to use the treatment. This paper has assessed views on willingness to use treatment in groups involved in ADHD. Methods: 17 adolescents with ADHD referred to Tehran Psychiatric Institute participated in this qualitative study by available sampling .Focus Group discussions (FGD) were conducted in two groups of adolescents and two groups of their parents and teachers. Deep interviews were done with two pediatricians and data analyzed with Content analysis method. Results: The most important factors influenced willingness to use the treatment, in all of groups consist of side-effects expectations, concerns regarding social stigma of medication, incorrect perceptions and low knowledge about ADHD and its treatment, cost and unavailability of treatment options. All groups confirm effectiveness of medications but adolescents had lowest willingness to use the treatment. Conclusion: Involvement of adolescents in treatment decision-making may increase willingness to use the treatment. Totally, despite of all treatment obstacles, all of the groups accepted medication is inevitable.