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.