ADHD Drug Prescribing Trend Is Increasing Among Children and Adolescents in Hong Kong
Authors:
Kenneth K C Man, Patrick Ip, Yingfen Hsia, Esther W Chan, Celine S L Chui, May P S Lam, Wilfred H S Wong, C B Chow, Ada Yung, Ian C K Wong
Key summary:
The prevalence of ADHD medication prescription was found to have increased 14 times over the years (2001-2013) for children and adolescents in Hong Kong. However, the prevalence of ADHD medication prescription in school children and adolescents, despite increasing, was still generally lower than most Western countries. Cultural factors, such as conservative beliefs and mistaking symptoms as simply mischievous behaviors, may contribute to such phenomenon. The prevalence of ADHD medication prescription for kindergarten children should especially be monitored to ensure appropriate use.
Reference:
Man KKC, Ip P, Hsia Y, et al. ADHD Drug Prescribing Trend Is Increasing Among Children and Adolescents in Hong Kong. J Atten Disord 2017; 21(14): 1161-8.