Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Among Primary School Children in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood and adolescence, yet it remains largely undiagnosed in Nigerian primary schools. This study investigates the prevalence of ADHD symptoms among primary school children in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional design will recruit 320 children aged 6 to 12 from eight public primary schools in Lokoja and Kabba using stratified random sampling. The Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised (CTRS-R) will be completed by class teachers, and the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R) will be completed by parents. Sociodemographic variables including age, gender, birth order, maternal education, and obstetric history will be documented. Prevalence rates and chi-square analyses will be presented. Existing evidence from Nigerian primary schools suggests that ADHD is frequently misattributed to laziness or poor upbringing, leading to punitive rather than therapeutic responses. Findings will be used to guide teacher training on neurodevelopmental conditions and advocate for school-based mental health screening programs in Kogi State. Keywords: ADHD, primary school children, Kogi State, neurodevelopment, teacher rating