अमूर्त

Medication Compliance in Israeli Children with ADHD: A Cross Sectional Study

Dana Lazar Bar-David, Idit Goldstein-Glikser*, Tally Lerman-Sagie

Objective: To assess the compliance of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to medical recommendations and to identify the factors associated with drug adherence.

Methods: The degree of compliance to medical recommendations and associated factors were assessed by a questionnaire answered by parents of 140 children with ADHD attending two ADHD clinics.

Results: 58% of the participants were compliant (43% fully, 15% mostly) to medical recommendations. Compliance was positively correlated with enhanced severity of behavioral problems at school; and negatively correlated with academic achievements, social status, and the child's conduct at home. The following factors did not influence compliance: age and gender, parental characteristics (educational status, prejudice against medications, and satisfaction with the diagnostic process) and type of clinic.

Conclusion: The factors associated with medical compliance in Israeli children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are primarily related to the effect of the symptoms on their academic and social life.