Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its associated factors among
pharmacy students at Prince of Songkla University in 2024. It was hypothesized
that the prevalence of ADHD would be associated with various demographic,
socioeconomic, historical, and behavioral factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved pharmacy
students from years 1–5 at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand. Data
were gathered from 761 students using a self-administered questionnaire that
included the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS Screener V1.1). Descriptive
statistics, the chi-square test, the Fisher exact test, and multiple logistic
regression were employed for data analysis.
Results: In total, 526 students participated in the study
(participation rate: 69%), with an average age of 21±1.57 years. The risk
of ADHD was prevalent in 14.4% of the respondents (76 students; 95% CI:
11.4%–17.5%). Significant factors associated with an increased risk of
ADHD included identifying as not disclosed or preferring not to report gender
(adjusted OR [ORadj], 3.32; 95% CI, 1.04–10.57), having
insufficient monthly income (ORadj, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.13–3.61),
and recent traffic violations (ORadj, 2.02; 95% CI,
1.09–3.76). It was also found that difficulties with executive
functioning, such as organization and procrastination, were highly prevalent
among pharmacy students.
Conclusion: The study identified a substantial prevalence of ADHD
risk among pharmacy students, with factors including gender, financial
challenges, and behavioral patterns such as traffic violations significantly
associated with this risk. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted
mental health interventions in university settings.