Lay Summary

1) An experiment study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a training programme to improve knowledge and misperceptions regarding ADHD in primary school teachers.
2)Our findings revealed that a brief training significantly contributed in improving the knowledge as well as misperceptions teachers had with regards to ADHD.
3) As children with special educational needs are educated in mainstream schools largely in an inclusive class room setting in Sri Lanka, it is vital to ensure all primary school teachers receive pre/in service training on ADHD.

Background

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the 2nd most common psychiatric disorders in children, is a debilitating condition frequently impairing academic performance. Evidence demonstrates poor knowledge and misperceptions of ADHD among primary school teachers reflect the disadvantageous position children are placed at being identified early and receiving the necessary treatment for better outcomes. The study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention to improve knowledge and alleviate misperceptions of ADHD among primary school teachers in Colombo district, in Sri Lanka.

Methods

A cluster randomized trial was conducted with 13 Sinhala medium state schools in each arm with 10 primary school teachers selected randomly from each school. Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (KADDS) was administered to teachers before and 2 weeks after a training programme to assess their knowledge and misperceptions regarding ADHD. Individual and cluster analyses were performed.

Results

Final response rates in intervention group was 92% while that of the waitlist control group was 91%. The baseline knowledge and misperception scores and basic characteristics between the two groups were comparable (p>0.05). Proportion of teachers in intervention group who demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge significantly improved following intervention

Conclusion

A significant improvement of knowledge and misperception of ADHD results following an educational intervention. Given the widespread inclusive education practiced in Sri Lanka, a pre/in service training on ADHD for primary schoolteachers is highly recommended.