RESUMO
Background: Frequency, social impact, the negative effects of ADHD on personal development, make it a public health problem. Tunisian existing data confirm its frequency and severity in clinical population. The absence of data in student population has led us to develop this work. The objectives of our study were to study epidemiological profile of ADHD in school population
Methods: The analysis involved a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from April 2008 to October 2008 using a representative randomized multistage sample of schoolchildren between 6 and 12 years old. Measurement was performed in two stages first the parents and teachers of each children filled Conners questionnaire separately then students with the score in subscales inattention, hyperactivity with impulsivity higher than 70 were selected for psychiatric interview. Psychiatric interview was intended to confirm or refute the diagnosis of ADHD. The diagnoses were made according to DSM IV-TR. To study the possible associated factors with the disorder they were compared in children with ADHD and children without the disorder taken as controls
Results: A total of 51 students out of 513 had ADHD. Prevalence was found to be 9,94%. For the study of factors associated with ADHD were found in males, neonatal hospitalization, psychiatric and family history of ADHD and the existence of a family dysfunctionment
Conclusion: Our prevalence is similar to the majority of those reported by studies conducted through the same methodology as ours. The etiology of ADHD is not unequivocal. The disorder appears to be multifactorial
RESUMO
Learning disorders are increasingly a concern for Tunisians parents. These difficulties are divided into two groups: specific learning disabilities and non-specific learning disorders. Our work is part of a federated research project. Our aim is to determine the incidence, etiology and management of learning disorders in the region of Sfax. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study on a population of 304 children assessed by their teachers as having academic difficulty. A multidisciplinary assessment including a neurological examination, an assessment of score of intelligence and language assessment has been performed for 209 children. Referring to our sample, learning disorders affect 21.3% of children in the region Sfax. The frequency of specific learning disorder is estimated at 10.3% [reading disorder 5.9%, dyscalculia 2.4%, reading disorder associated with dyscalculia 2%]. Non-specific learning disorders were found in 11% of children. Etiologies in this group were dominated by mental retardation [2.1%], inappropriate education [2.3%]. Our study revealed the high frequency of learning difficulties. It allows us to distinguish between specific learning disabilities and non specific learning disorders secondary to neurological or precarious socio-economic conditions. However, the profile and severity of specific learning disorders could not be studied due to the lack of standardized Arabic tests in Tunisia. In countries with a lack of professional and specialized unit care as in Tunisia, reading interventions in school should be proposed. Only children with remaining difficulties after this training will be sent to specialized professionals
RESUMO
In adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorders, psychiatric comorbidity is rather the rule than the exception. To find the prevalence of the association between depression in adolescents and other psychiatric disorders and second and to study the different mental disorders comorbid to depression. We conducted a descriptive, retrospective and analytic survey carried on 77 subjects having been followed in the child psychiatry department of Sfax for depressive disorders diagnosed according to the DSM-IV TR criteria during a period of 9 years [from January 1[st] 1998 till 31[st] December 2006] 49.3% of the youths with depression had comorbid conditions: anxiety disorders in 23.37% of cases, disruptive disorders in 13% of cases [conduct disorders in 11.7 % of cases and oppositional defiant disorders in 1.3 % of cases], personality disorders in 13% of cases, substance abuse in 3.9% of cases and alimentary behavior disturbances in 2.6% of cases. A superimposed major depressive disorder in adolescents with dysthymia [" Double depression "] was present in 10.4 of cases. Throughout our study, we underline the frequency of the association between depression in teenagers and other mental disorders. The detection of this comorbidity has a great importance as it permits to understand the pathogenesis of depression in adolescents, to examine the implications of comorbidity for course and outcomes of this disorder and to elaborate the appropriate treatment