Screening of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and its associated factors among medical university students in Lebanon

A multicenter cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID24144086
AuthorsOmar Al Jassem (0009-0009-4691-846X, Lebanese University, corresponding author), Mariam Darwish (0009-0000-5589-2040, Lebanese University), Rami Rifi (University of Missouri), Chirine Chawiche (0009-0000-3923-1760, Lebanese University), Hassan Khalil (0000-0003-3937-0773, American University of Beirut Medical Center), Sara Ayoub (American University of Beirut Medical Center), Mabelle Al Bassar (0009-0009-5679-8457, Lebanese University), Ayman El Moubayed (0009-0004-0192-4958, Saint Joseph University), Layal Malli (0009-0009-4121-2644, Lebanese American University), Madeeha Kamal (Sidra Medicine), Linda Abou-Abbas (Lebanese University)
EditorsJulia Robinson (0000-0003-0719-3995, PLOS: Public Library of Science)
Year2026
Volume6
Issue9
Pagese0006528
Publication date2026-09-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528
PMID42709711
OpenAlexW7211928519
LanguageEN
References cited51

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that may adversely affect academic performance and well-being. Data on ADHD among Lebanese medical students are limited. This study assessed the prevalence of probable ADHD symptoms and associated factors among medical students in Lebanon. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students from six Lebanese universities. Participants completed an online questionnaire including the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Factors associated with ADHD screening scores were identified using multivariable linear regression. A total of 306 medical students participated; 60.8% were female, and the mean age was 21.9 ± 2.1 years. Overall, 93 students screened positive for probable ADHD symptoms, corresponding to a prevalence of 30.4% (95% CI: 25.5%–35.8%). Higher ADHD screening scores were independently associated with fourth academic year (β = 0.605, 95% CI: 0.111–1.099; p = 0.017), middle socioeconomic status (β = 0.399, 95% CI: 0.022–0.777; p = 0.038), comorbidities (β = 0.624, 95% CI: 0.082–1.167; p = 0.024), birth complications (β = 0.888, 95% CI: 0.311–1.466; p = 0.003), smoking (β = 1.054, 95% CI: 0.415–1.692; p = 0.001), higher PHQ-9 scores (β = 0.089, 95% CI: 0.042–0.136; p

Affect (linguistics) · Anxiety · Comorbidity · Multicenter study · Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index · Quality of life (healthcare) · Socioeconomic status · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Disability Education and Employment · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout