Prevalence and associated factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms among Palestinian university students

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and hyperactivity. It affects both children and adults, including university students, and is associated with their academic and functional impairments. This study mainly aims to estimate the prevalence of ADHD among university students and explore its associated factors, including sleeping hygiene, physical activity, dietary habits, and psychological well-being. This study utilized a cross-sectional design among university students at AN-Najah National University in Palestine. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included sociodemographic and medical history. Lifestyle was evaluated using the sleeping hygiene index (SHI) for sleeping quality and the international physical activity questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) for physical activity. The Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) was used to assess participants' adherence to the Mediterranean diet. For psychological well-being evaluation, the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was used. While the adult ADHD self-reported scale (ASRS) was utilized for ADHD screening. A total of 402 undergraduates were included in the final analysis. Within the sample, 85.1% were female, and 29.6% were reported to have positive probable ADHD. Univariate analysis revealed that ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with having chronic diseases (p = 0.002), younger age, poor sleeping hygiene, and poor mental health (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, sleeping hygiene, psychological well-being, and chronic diseases are significant predictors of ADHD (p < 0.05). Probable ADHD showed a notable prevalence among university students and is associated with sociodemographic, lifestyle, and mental health factors, underscoring the importance of comprehensive support systems within educational instuitions.