Knowledge of Parents (Attending Consultant Paediatric Clinic, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria) about Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: A normal child brings joy and happiness in to the family. Even a child with neuro-developmental problem like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can bring joy and happiness into the family if the child is properly taken care of.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of parents of children with ADHD who are attending the Consultant Pediatric Clinic University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

Method: A descriptive study design was used for the study. The population was made up of all parents that attended the Consultant Pediatric clinic in UPTH at the time of study. Target population was 71 parents and all were used (census) as sample size because the number is small. Convenient sampling technique was applied during the distribution of the Questionnaire on the Knowledge of the Management and Effects on Parents of Children with ADHD (QKMEPCA), the instrument for data collection. The instrument was developed by the researchers. 71 copies of the QKMEPCA were distributed and retrieved. The QKMEPCA was made up of two sections: section A contained the demographic data while section B contained questions on the variables under study. The data were analyzed using frequency tables, bar and pie charts.

Results: The findings showed that majority of the parents 44 (61.97%) did not know what ADHD is all about. On the perception of parents towards children with ADHD, many of the respondents 27 (38.03%), feel that children with ADHD are abnormal, 20 (28.17%) feel that they are normal while 24 (33.80%) could not respond to either ‘’Yes’’ or ‘’No’’, then 44 (61.97%) feel that the condition cannot be managed and that it has negative effect on the children.

Conclusion: Based on this development, there is a need to create more awareness on ADHD through health education, which will help to modify parents’ perception towards children with ADHD.