Prevalence of Self-reported ADHD Symptoms and Associated Factors among College Students in Kolar District, Southern India: A Cross-sectional Study
L’essentiel
Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults remains under-recognised in India, particularly among college students, despite its significant impact on academic performance and psychosocial functioning. However, there is limited epidemiological evidence from southern India regarding the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of ADHD symptom burden in undergraduate populations, creating a gap in context-specific data necessary for targeted screening and intervention strategies. Aim: To estimate the prevalence and symptom patterns of selfreported ADHD and identify socio-demographic correlates of symptom burden in undergraduate students using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). Materials and Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to June 2023 among 1,913 undergraduate students from degree colleges affiliated to Bengaluru North University, Kolar District, Karnataka, India. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the World Health Organisation (WHO)-endorsed ASRS v1.1. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequency and percentage {n (%)}. Associations were analysed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and factors independently associated with ADHD symptom burden were identified using binary logistic regression. Results: Overall, 257 students (13.4%) screened positive for ADHD-related symptoms. Inattentive presentation was the most common (182; 70.8%), followed by hyperactive-impulsive (45; 17.5%) and combined presentation (30; 11.7%). Female gender {Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.42; 95% CI: 1.05-1.93}, having more than two siblings (AOR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01-1.85), and being firstborn (AOR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.01-1.65) were independently associated with higher symptom burden. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of undergraduate students reported ADHD-related symptoms, highlighting the need for targeted screening and early support strategies within higher-education Institutions, particularly for identified at-risk groups.
Synthèse détaillée
Résumé original
Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults remains under-recognised in India, particularly among college students, despite its significant impact on academic performance and psychosocial functioning. However, there is limited epidemiological evidence from southern India regarding the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of ADHD symptom burden in undergraduate populations, creating a gap in context-specific data necessary for targeted screening and intervention strategies. Aim: To estimate the prevalence and symptom patterns of selfreported ADHD and identify socio-demographic correlates of symptom burden in undergraduate students using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). Materials and Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to June 2023 among 1,913 undergraduate students from degree colleges affiliated to Bengaluru North University, Kolar District, Karnataka, India. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the World Health Organisation (WHO)-endorsed ASRS v1.1. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequency and percentage {n (%)}. Associations were analysed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and factors independently associated with ADHD symptom burden were identified using binary logistic regression. Results: Overall, 257 students (13.4%) screened positive for ADHD-related symptoms. Inattentive presentation was the most common (182; 70.8%), followed by hyperactive-impulsive (45; 17.5%) and combined presentation (30; 11.7%). Female gender {Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.42; 95% CI: 1.05-1.93}, having more than two siblings (AOR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01-1.85), and being firstborn (AOR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.01-1.65) were independently associated with higher symptom burden. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of undergraduate students reported ADHD-related symptoms, highlighting the need for targeted screening and early support strategies within higher-education Institutions, particularly for identified at-risk groups.