ADHD prevalence in schools: The case of Tarija, Bolivia

Abstract

The present descriptive study aimed to determine the level of risk of ADHD, conduct disorder and visual-motor maturity in primary school children from public schools in the city of Tarija, Bolivia. Its practical justification is deduced from the scarcity of useful data at local, departmental and national levels on the prevalence of a condition that negatively affects the academic performance and quality of life of the child and later adolescent.

A non-probabilistic sample of 132 students was used, to whom the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Evaluation Scale EDAH and the Bender test were applied. The results indicate fairly high risks, but the marked discrepancy with international prevalence rates suggests caution in interpretation. It is recommended to confirm or reject the results by extending the research to other school districts and thus contribute to the formation of a reliable epidemiological data bank.