Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (RCPBS), Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (RCPBS) Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

3 Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Research Center, Manzandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran

4 Department of Pediatric Nursing, Health Research Center, Nursing in Alzahra Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Methylphenidate is an important drug treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Parents’ knowledge of the drug predicts their adherence to this treatment and active participation in the therapeutic interventions. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the parents of children with ADHD, who referred to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, regarding methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 300 parents during 2019-2020. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the socioeconomic status questionnaire and a researchermade questionnaire, which encompassed the two sections of demographic information and parents’ attitudes, knowledge and performance. The validity and reliability of the tool were confirmed. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and t-test.
Results: The mothers played a more significant role in the care of children with ADHD compared to the fathers. Significant correlations were observed between the parents’ knowledge, attitude, and performance with Ritalin consumption, and the knowledge score of the parents was low (46.6%), confirming their need for education in this regard. Meanwhile, 52.86% of the parents had a moderate knowledge level, and only 1% had excellent knowledge regarding the drug. Overall, the parents considered methylphenidate a more effective drug for ADHD compared to other medications. However, 84% of the parents were concerned about their children’s Ritalin addiction. According to the results, mothers played a more significant role in the treatment of children with ADHD compared to the fathers.
Conclusion: According to the results, parents’ participation in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD as a supporter and provider of methylphenidate had a positive effect in this regard. Therefore, supporting and improving the knowledge and attitude of parents could improve their perception of methylphenidate consumption by their ADHD children, thereby enhancing the prognosis of the patients.

Keywords

  1. Sarkhel S. Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry:Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry, 10(th) edition.Indian J Psychiatry. 51: © Indian Journal of Psychiatry.;2020. p. 331.
  2. Eklund H, Cadman T, Findon J, Hayward H, Howley D, Beecham J, Xenitidis K, Murphy D, Asherson P, Glaser K. Clinical service use as people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder transition into adolescence and adulthood: a prospective longitudinal study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2016 Jul 11; 16:248. doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1509-0. PMID: 27400778; PMCID: PMC4940923.
  3. Afeti K, Nyarko SH. Prevalence and effect of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on school performance among primary school pupils in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2017 Feb 14; 16:11. doi: 10.1186/s12991-017-0135-5. PMID: 28228839; PMCID: PMC5307701.
  4. Usami M. Functional consequences of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on children and their families. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2016 Aug;70(8):303-17. doi: 10.1111/pcn.12393. Epub 2016 May 10. PMID: 27061213.
  5. Azadbakht L, Esmaillzadeh A. Dietary patterns and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among Iranian children. Nutrition. 2012 Mar;28(3):242-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2011.05.018. Epub 2011 Aug 25. PMID: 21868196.
  6. Chen JY, Clark MJ, Chang YY, Liu YY, Chang CY. Factors affecting perceptions of family function in caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. J Nurs Res. 2014 Sep;22(3):165-75. doi: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000042. PMID: 25111110.
  7. Ronis SD, Baldwin CD, Blumkin A, Kuhlthau K, Szilagyi PG. Patient-Centered Medical Home and Family Burden in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2015 Jul-Aug;36(6):417-25. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000161. PMID: 26035140.
  8. Dodangi N, Vameghi R, Habibi N. Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Parents of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Children towards Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Clinical Samples. Iran J Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;12(1):42-48. PMID: 28496501; PMCID: PMC5425351.
  9. Wilens TE, Kratochvil C, Newcorn JH, Gao H. Do children and adolescents with ADHD respond differently to atomoxetine? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Feb;45(2):149-157. doi: 10.1097/01.chi.0000190352.90946.0b. PMID: 16429085.
  10. Amiri S, Shafiee-Kandjani AR, Noorazar SG, Rahmani Ivrigh S, Abdi S. Knowledge and Attitude of Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Towards the Illness. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2016 May 15;10(2): e122. doi: 10.17795/ijpbs-122. PMID: 27803715; PMCID: PMC5087560.
  11. Abobakri O, Sadeghi-Bazargani H, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Alizadeh Aghdam MB, Imani A, Tabrizi J, Salarilak S, Farahbakhsh M. Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire for Urban Households (SESIran): The Preliminary Version. Health Promot Perspect. 2016 Jan 30;5(4):250-60. doi: 10.15171/hpp.2015.030. PMID: 26933644; PMCID: PMC4772795.
  12. Bahrami M, Yousefi F, Bahrami A, Farazi E, Bahrami A. The Prevalence of Attention Deficit – Hyperactivity Disorder and related factors, among elementary school student in Kamyaran city in 2014-2015. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2016; 3 (3) :1-11.
  13. McNeal RE, Roberts MC, Barone VJ. Mothers' and children's perceptions of medication for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2000 Spring;30(3):173-87. doi: 10.1023/a:1021347621455. PMID: 10851792.
  14. Greydanus DE, Pratt HD, Patel DR. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan: the child, adolescent, and adult. Dis Mon. 2007 Feb;53(2):70-131. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2007.01.001. PMID: 17386306.
  15. Lazaratou H. [Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or bipolar disorder in childhood?]. Psychiatriki. 2012 Oct-Dec;23(4):304-13. Greek, Modern. PMID: 23399752.
  16. DosReis S, Mychailyszyn MP, Evans-Lacko SE, Beltran A, Riley AW, Myers MA. The meaning of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and parents' initiation and continuity of treatment for their child. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2009 Aug;19(4):377-83. doi: 10.1089/cap.2008.0118. PMID: 19702489; PMCID: PMC2830211.
  17. El-Baz FM, Youssef AM, Khairy E, Ramadan D, Youssef WY. Association between circulating zinc/ferritin levels and parent Conner's scores in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Eur Psychiatry. 2019 Oct; 62:68-73. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2019.09.002. Epub 2019 Sep 20. PMID: 31546229.
  18. Mukattash TL, ALGhzawi NY, Abu Farha RK, Jarab AS, Hämeen-Anttila K, Vainio K, Gammoh OS. An audit on parental attitudes towards medicines used in children. Saudi Pharm J. 2018 Jan;26(1):133-137. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2017.10.001. Epub 2017 Oct 3. PMID: 29379345; PMCID: PMC5783804.
  19. Bush G. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and attention networks. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 Jan;35(1):278-300. doi: 10.1038/npp.2009.120. PMID: 19759528; PMCID: PMC3055423.
  20. Adler L, Cohen J. Diagnosis and evaluation of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2004 Jun;27(2):187-201. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2003.12.003. PMID: 15063992.
  21. Pouretemad HR, Khooshabi K, Roshanbin M, Jadidi M. The effectiveness of group positive parenting program on parental stress of mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Iran Med. 2009 Jan;12(1):60-8. PMID: 19111032.