Awareness and Perception of Parents (Attending Consultant Pediatric Clinic, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria) Toward Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

This study investigated parental awareness and perceptions regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among attendees of the Consultant Pediatric Clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive design, the research focused on 71 parents present during the study period; all individuals in this target population were included in the sample through a census approach. Data were gathered using the Questionnaire on the Awareness and Perception of Parents towards Children with ADHD (QAPPCA), which was distributed via a convenience sampling method. The instrument was divided into two parts: the first collected demographic information, and the second addressed the study variables. All 71 distributed questionnaires were completed and returned. Analysis, conducted using frequency distributions, bar charts, and pie charts, revealed that a significant majority of parents (44; 61.97%) were unaware of ADHD. Regarding perceptions, 27 respondents (38.03%) viewed children with ADHD as abnormal, 20 (28.17%) considered them normal, and 24 (33.80%) were undecided. Furthermore, 44 participants (61.97%) believed the condition was unmanageable and held negative connotations for affected children. These results underscore a critical need for enhanced awareness initiatives, particularly through health education, to positively influence parental perceptions of children with ADHD.