Knowledge/understanding, perception and attitude towards attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among community members and healthcare professionals in Indonesia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nCollaboration between community and healthcare professionals plays an essential role in ADHD care. Therefore, this study aims to identify the level of knowledge/understanding, perception and attitude among community members, primary school teachers, medical students, general practitioners, pediatricians and psychologists in Indonesia regarding ADHD and its association with several related factors.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA cross-sectional study utilizing valid questionnaires to assess the level of knowledge/understanding, perception and attitude regarding ADHD among each respondent group was employed. 1,536 subjects participated in this study. Data was gathered and analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 for Mac. A chi-square test was used to establish the associations. The value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in this study.\n\n\nRESULTS\nMost of the participants showed poor to very poor levels of knowledge/understanding (community members = 56.8%, teachers = 58.9%, medical students = 60.4%, general practitioners = 54.9%, pediatricians = 65.6%, psychologists = 52.1%). The similar results were also found for perception and attitude levels. Several associations were found between practice experience and the level of knowledge/understanding, perception and attitude towards ADHD among general practitioners and psychologists (p < 0.05); educational level and level of attitude among community members and medical students (p < 0.05); practice experience and the knowledge/understanding level in the teachers group (p < 0.05); practice experience and the perception level among pediatricians (p < 0.05).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nFurther education regarding ADHD should be considered either through online media or formal education in order to achieve a better management of ADHD.