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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Prevalence and correlates of ADHD among adolescents in a Beirut community sample: results from the BEI-PSY Study

Authors: Elias Ghossoub, Lilian A. Ghandour, Fadi Halabi, Pia Zeinoun, Al Amira Safa Shehab, Fadi T. Maalouf

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

This study aims to investigate the prevalence, correlates and treatment seeking behavior related to ADHD among adolescents from Lebanon.

Methods

Five hundred and ten adolescents were recruited through multistage stratified cluster sampling of households in Beirut, and separately interviewed along with one parent/legal guardian, using the DAWBA. All adolescents completed the PRQ and the SDQ; the parent/legal guardian also completed the SDQ and provided basic demographic information, including attitudes towards seeking mental health services.

Results

10.20% of the adolescents were diagnosed with ADHD. Having ADHD was associated with having academic difficulties and being involved in bullying. Adolescents with ADHD also had higher odds of drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and having comorbid emotional and conduct disorders (compared to those without ADHD). Adolescents with ADHD and their parents reported a higher burden of illness and were more likely to consider seeing a mental health professional than healthy adolescents and their parents.

Conclusion

ADHD among adolescents in Lebanon warrants closer attention, mainly increased awareness in the larger public, and stronger commitment to increase treatment resources to the community.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence and correlates of ADHD among adolescents in a Beirut community sample: results from the BEI-PSY Study
Authors
Elias Ghossoub
Lilian A. Ghandour
Fadi Halabi
Pia Zeinoun
Al Amira Safa Shehab
Fadi T. Maalouf
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-017-0156-5

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