A Cross-Sectional Study on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms among Medical Students in Rwanda: Academic and Psychiatric Correlates

Authors

Keywords:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Mental Disorder, Academic Performance, Medical students

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that often persists into adulthood, and it can be underdiagnosed. It correlates with poor academic performance and other comorbidities, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioural addiction. However, evidence of ADHD symptoms is limited in Rwanda.

This study aims to assess the prevalence of ADHD symptoms and their association with subjective academic performance and other psychiatric comorbidities among medical students in Rwanda.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study with STROBE checklist was conducted among adult medical students at the University of Medical Sciences and Technology and the University of Rwanda between September and October 2025. The sample size was determined using the single population proportion formula at a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error, with an assumed proportion of 0.5 due to lack of prior estimates. This was adjusted for the finite study population.

Data were collected using English and Kinyarwanda self-administered Questionnaires face to face and online. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1). Strategies sampling was applied according to academic levels, and the data was collected conveniently from each according to proportion. Sociodemographic data, Academic performance, psychiatric, and physical health were analysed using the chi-square test. IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.

Results: A total of 584 medical students participated in the study, with a response rate of 61.5%; 52.9% were male, and 47.1% were female. The mean age was 21.6 ± 1.7 years (range 17–29 years). The prevalence of probable ADHD symptoms was 21.4%. ADHD symptoms were more prevalent among students aged 20 years or younger (p < .05) and were significantly associated with poorer academic performance (p < .001). A significant association was also observed between ADHD symptoms and maladaptive daydreaming (48%, p < .001), as well as psychiatric comorbidities, particularly history of anxiety disorders (6.4%, p < .05). Logistic regression analysis identified physical illness (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.09–2.70, p = .019) and family history of psychiatric illness (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.13–3.07, p = .015) as independent predictors of ADHD symptoms.

Conclusion: ADHD symptoms were prevalent among younger medical students in Rwanda, and they were associated with poorer academic performance, maladaptive daydreaming, and psychiatric vulnerability, particularly anxiety spectrum disorders. These findings highlight the importance of early screening and accessible mental health support for medical students.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-19

How to Cite

Elhaj, N. B., Tsigebrhan, R., & Ibrahim, D. (2026). A Cross-Sectional Study on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms among Medical Students in Rwanda: Academic and Psychiatric Correlates. International Journal of Medical Students. Retrieved from https://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/4822

Issue

Forthcoming

Section

Abstracts of the WCMSR

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Nida Bakri Elhaj, Ruth Tsigebrhan, Danya Ibrahim

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site; with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
    2. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
    3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
    4. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
    5. The Author represents and warrants that:
      1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
      2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
      3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
      4. the Work has not previously been published;
      5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
      6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
    6. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from the Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Enforcement of copyright

The IJMS takes the protection of copyright very seriously.

If the IJMS discovers that you have used its copyright materials in contravention of the license above, the IJMS may bring legal proceedings against you seeking reparation and an injunction to stop you using those materials. You could also be ordered to pay legal costs.

If you become aware of any use of the IJMS' copyright materials that contravenes or may contravene the license above, please report this by email to contact@ijms.org

 

Infringing material

If you become aware of any material on the website that you believe infringes your or any other person's copyright, please report this by email to contact@ijms.org