{ "abstract": "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that may adversely affect academic performance and well-being. Data on ADHD among Lebanese medical students are limited. This study assessed the prevalence of probable ADHD symptoms and associated factors among medical students in Lebanon. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students from six Lebanese universities. Participants completed an online questionnaire including the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Factors associated with ADHD screening scores were identified using multivariable linear regression. A total of 306 medical students participated; 60.8% were female, and the mean age was 21.9 ± 2.1 years. Overall, 93 students screened positive for probable ADHD symptoms, corresponding to a prevalence of 30.4% (95% CI: 25.5%–35.8%). Higher ADHD screening scores were independently associated with fourth academic year (β = 0.605, 95% CI: 0.111–1.099; p = 0.017), middle socioeconomic status (β = 0.399, 95% CI: 0.022–0.777; p = 0.038), comorbidities (β = 0.624, 95% CI: 0.082–1.167; p = 0.024), birth complications (β = 0.888, 95% CI: 0.311–1.466; p = 0.003), smoking (β = 1.054, 95% CI: 0.415–1.692; p = 0.001), higher PHQ-9 scores (β = 0.089, 95% CI: 0.042–0.136; p < 0.001), and poorer sleep quality (PSQI score; β = 0.093, 95% CI: 0.029–0.157; p = 0.005). Nearly one-third of Lebanese medical students screened positive for probable ADHD symptoms. These findings suggest that ADHD symptoms may coexist with modifiable psychological and lifestyle factors, highlighting the need for integrated screening and support services within medical schools. Future longitudinal studies using clinical diagnostic assessments are warranted to clarify causal relationships and confirm ADHD diagnoses.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon", "Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon", "AZM Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, Doctoral School for Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon", "Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America", "Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon", "Neurology Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon", "Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon", "Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon", "Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar", "Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), Weill Cornell University, Doha, Qatar", "College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 11, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Omar Al Jassem" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Mariam Darwish" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Rami Rifi" }, { "affs": [ 3 ], "name": "Chirine Chawiche" }, { "affs": [ 4 ], "name": "Hassan Khalil" }, { "affs": [ 5 ], "name": "Sara Ayoub" }, { "affs": [ 6 ], "name": "Mabelle Al Bassar" }, { "affs": [ 7 ], "name": "Ayman El Moubayed" }, { "affs": [ 8 ], "name": "Layal Malli" }, { "affs": [ 9 ], "name": "Madeeha Kamal" }, { "affs": [ 10 ], "name": "Linda Abou-Abbas" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9wh6xebf1x0st.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528", "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528", "id": "9wh6xebf1x0st", "issns": [ "2767-3375" ], "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528", "language": null, "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "journal", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "openalex", "2738|Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Clinical psychology" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Developmental neuroscience/Neurodevelopmental disorders/ADHD" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Physiological processes/Sleep" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Clinical psychology" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Psychological stress" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Neurodevelopmental disorders/ADHD" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry/Mood disorders/Depression" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry/Neuropsychiatric disorders/ADHD" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry/Psychological stress" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Neurology/Neurodevelopmental disorders/ADHD" ], [ "plos", "/People and places/Geographical locations/Asia/Lebanon" ], [ "plos", "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior" ], [ "plos", "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Clinical psychology" ], [ "plos", "/Social sciences/Psychology/Psychological stress" ] ], "openalex": "W7211928519", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528&type=printable", "pmcid": null, "pmid": null, "published": "2026-09-08", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9wh6xebf1x0st.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528", "source": "plos", "url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0006528" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:clinical psychology", "subfield": "psychiatry" } ], "title": "Screening of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and its associated factors among medical university students in Lebanon: A multicenter cross-sectional study", "title_text": "Screening of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and its associated factors among medical university students in Lebanon: A multicenter cross-sectional study", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9wh6xebf1x0st", "venue": "PLOS Global Public Health", "versions": [] }