Objective:To examine dispensing patterns of methylphenidate (MPH) to determine how socioeconomic status (SES), ethnocultural affiliation, and gender affect the medical treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Patients and Methods:We reviewed MPH prescription records for year 2011 of children aged 6-18, from regional pharmacies serving homogeneous neighborhoods.
Results:MPH prescriptions showed a prevalence of 6-7.5%. Jewish children were four times more likely to be prescribed MPH than Arab children, with significant discrepancies along SES and gender lines(p
Conclusions:Prescription patterns for MPH in children reflect diagnostic patterns of ADHD that appear to be heavily influenced by additive factors of SES, cultural attitudes and gender. Dispensing data provides valuable information for targeting underserved groups, and defining potential areas of abuse.
