Primary School Teachers' Attitude and Knowledge regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Students

Research Abstract

Summary Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is considered one of the most commonly diagnosis in mental disorder of students. ADHD students may have trouble paying attention or may be hyperactive and unable to control their impulses. These behaviors interfere with school and home life. Also Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects children and teens and can continue into adulthood. It’s more common in boys than in girls. It’s usually discovered during the early school years, when a child begins to have problems paying attention (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2019). The aim of the present study was to assess primary school teachers' attitude and knowledge regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among students. Research design: Descriptive research design was used to implement this study. This study was conducted at four primary schools at Benha City. A Systematic random sample of 200 teachers work in the previously mentioned settings. Tools of data collection:- Two tools were used to collect the data: Tool (I): A structured questionnaire: It was developed after reviewing related literature, and it was written in simple clear Arabic language: It contains two parts: Part I: It was concerned with demographic characteristics of the studied sample. Part II: Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorders scale: It was adapted from (Scuitto, et al., 2000) to assess teachers’ knowledge related to ADHD which included definition, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Tool (II): Scale to measure the attitude of teachers regarding students with ADHD adapted from (Greene, et al., 1997), Measured on a likert type scale of (Agree, Neutral and Disagree). The current study revealed the following results: • 49% of the studied teachers aged from 35 to < 45 years, 75% of them were female, 73.5% of them were married and 40.5% of them had experience from 5 to less than15 years. 50% of the studied teachers had Bachelor of Education, 7% of them had high studies and Secondary school. • Regarding to teachers’ experience about ADHD 68% of the studied teachers acquired their knowledge from teaching ADHD students in the class, 9% of them acquired through reading books and television programs followed by 10% through studies during collage, while 4% of them through training workshop. • Regarding knowledge 52.5%, 99% of the studied teachers had poor knowledge regarding ADHD features and treatment respectively, while 77.5% of them had average knowledge regarding symptoms & diagnosis of ADHD and concerning total knowledge 77.5% of the studied teachers had poor knowledge about ADHD, while 22.5 of them had average knowledge regarding ADHD. • Regarding total attitude of teachers about students with ADHD, 77.5% of them had negative attitude toward students with ADHD, while 2% of them had positive attitude. • Concerning relation between teachers’ demographic characteristics and their knowledge, there was highly significant relation between total knowledge about ADHD and their age. P = 0.009, level of education. P = 0.000 also showed that there was significant relation between total knowledge of the studied teachers about ADHD and their years of experience. P=0.043 • Concerning relation between teachers’ demographic characteristics and their attitude, there was highly significant relation between total attitude of the studied teachers about ADHD and their sex. P=0.006 • Concerning relation between the studied teachers’ knowledge and attitude, there was statistically significant relation between the studied teachers’ knowledge and attitude. P=0.030 Based on the findings of this study, following points are recommended: • Health education program should be developed and implemented for the primary school teachers about ADHD. • Brooklet should be available and distributed for the primary school teachers about ADHD. • Further research effect of a training program for teachers to improve their knowledge and attitude toward ADHD students. • Enhance teachers' awareness through workshops and training courses about ADHD and how to deal with students with ADHD.

Research Keywords

Primary School Teachers' Attitude and Knowledge regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Students