Comparative analysis of Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and parental quality of life Amongst Students of Government and Private Schools

ABSTRACT Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children worldwide. This study focuses on understanding the prevalence of ADHD in elementary school classrooms in India and examines how having a child with ADHD impacts the quality of life of their parents. Aim: To determine the prevalence of ADHD in Indian elementary classrooms and assess the quality of life of parents. Materials and Methods: The study, conducted during the 2022–2023 academic year, involved 300 primary school children aged 6–12 years from government and private schools in Jaipur, with 150 students from each type of institution. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Committee, and consent was secured from both teachers and parents. The process adhered to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the study’s rigor and validity. Data collection involved interviews with children from classes 1 through 6, selected using the fishbowl method from a list of nearby schools that responded to the researchers’ outreach. The study identified children with ADHD using the Vanderbilt assessment scale and assessed parents’ quality of life through the WHOQOL-BREF. Results: The prevalence of ADHD in Indian elementary classrooms was 5.67%. Additionally, parents of children with ADHD scored significantly lower across all domains of the WHOQOL assessment, suggesting that having a child with ADHD profoundly affects the parents’ physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and overall environment. Conclusion: The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support systems for families dealing with ADHD. Given the significant impact on parents’ quality of life, it is crucial to provide resources and interventions that can help these families manage the challenges associated with ADHD.