ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study examined residents' attitudes and practices regarding the relevance of spirituality in psychiatry within Saudi residency training programs; their experiences and comfort levels in addressing patients' spiritual concerns; and their interest and past learning experiences in this area of training and practice. METHODS: This cross-sectional study targeted trainees and recent graduates of residency programs across Saudi Arabia. The study materials consisted of an electronic questionnaire that was adapted with permission. RESULTS: The total number of respondents was 71 out of 180 potential participants (39.44%). Most residents (64.8%) felt that it was appropriate to inquire about the spiritual aspects of patients' lives and that it was essential to address spiritual problems or needs that patients may have within the clinical setting (71.8%). Many participants (40.80%) described themselves as being both religious and spiritual. Most respondents (94.4%) did not receive any training on spirituality and psychiatry, and 80.3% said they would like to learn more about the subject. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that residents have an overall high level of personal spirituality and that they feel it is relevant in clinical practice. However, they have not had much training in this area and are interested in learning more. Educational initiatives would be beneficial for improving the effectiveness of residents and patient care in this untapped area of spirituality in psychiatry.
ABSTRACT
Background: Childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly diagnosed in Saudi Arabia, but there is negligible evidence regarding adult ADHD in college students. Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlates of ADHD among undergraduates at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2280 undergraduate students from 11 colleges at King Abdulaziz University, one of the largest university in Saudi Arabia, were approached in person with a questionnaire that elicited information regarding demographics, education, psychiatric history, health behaviors, and ADHD. A validated Arabic version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale was used. Results: A total of 2059 students (90%) completed the questionnaire (mean age: 21.2 years). Almost one-tenth (11.9%) of the sample met the criteria for adult ADHD; only 6.5% had been diagnosed with ADHD in childhood and <1% (0.8%) had taken medication for the same. Multivariate analyses revealed that high family income, low grade in the last semester, parental divorce, diagnosis of childhood ADHD, prior diagnosis of depression, greater severity of current depression and anxiety, and cigarette smoking increased the likelihood of adult ADHD. Conclusion: A notable proportion of students in this study had suspected adult ADHD. Early evaluation of students with ADHD and identification of those at risk may potentially help in improving their academic performance and quality of life.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), subtypes of ADHD, and psychiatric, academic, and behavioral comorbidity in public primary school students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A simple random sample of 6 primary government schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was identified (3 male, 3 female), and a random sample of classes in each of grades 1-6 were selected. Between July and November 2016, teachers in these classes were asked to complete the Vanderbilt ADHD scale on all students in their classes. Results: A total of 929 students were screened. The overall prevalence of ADHD was 5% (5.3% in girls, 4.7% in boys). The most prevalent subtype of ADHD was combined type (2.7%), followed by hyperactive type (1.2%), and inattentive type (1.1%). The highest prevalence of ADHD overall was in grade 3 (7.1%) and the lowest prevalence in grade 6 (3.4%). Among students with ADHD, prevalence of comorbid psychiatric, academic, and behavioral problems was widespread (56.5% oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder, 54.4% impaired academic performance, 44.4% classroom behavioral problems, 41.3% depression/anxiety). Comorbid problems were especially prevalent in combined ADHD subtype and in boys. Conclusions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is common in primary school children in Jeddah, and is associated with widespread psychiatric, academic, and behavioral problems, especially in boys. These findings have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of this serious neurobehavioral disorder.
