Department Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
*Corresponding author Email address: Olusolaojo@oauife.edu.ng (Olusola Ojo)
Nigerian Journal of Environment and Health 3 (2023) 39–47
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18323362
Hyperkinetic Behavior (HKB) is one of the maladjusted behaviors commonly exhibited by pupils in primary schools. Experiences have shown that a child manifesting HKB is capable enough of significantly disorganizing the setting of a whole school, let alone a classroom. Environmental stressors have been identified as either the primary causes of HKB or as secondary triggers of biological and genetic factors. The need to know the prevalence of this disorder in inclusive classroom settings cannot be overemphasized. Hence, this study determined the prevalence of HKB among primary school pupils in Osun State, Nigeria. Standardized rating scale on HKB was used to elicit information on levels and extent of symptoms of HKB as manifested by the pupils. One hundred and eighteen pupils and five teachers were recruited into the study. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics using frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that 5.9% of the pupils manifested severe level of HKB, while 42.4% and 51.7% exhibited moderate and mild levels of HKB respectively. Nearly one in ten male participants (9.4%) manifested severe level of HKB as compared with 1.9% of female manifesting same. Fifty-six percent (56%) of male participants and 46.3% of female participants had moderate level of HKB respectively. It was also observed that 49.1%, 44.3% and 6.6% who presented mild, moderate and severe levels of HKB respectively were within the age range of 8 -10 while 75%, 25% and 0.0% of the same groups were within the age bracket of 11-13. The study has therefore provided previously unavailable data on the prevalence of HKB among pupils in primary schools in Osun State as well as the socio-demographic determinants of its severity. Early identification and management of children presenting this behaviour is imperative in order for them to reach their full potential and to succeed by having a good quality of life marked with maturity and confidence.
© NJEH 2023 Published by LivingScience Foundation.
Keywords: Prevalence, Hyperkinetic Behaviour, Inclusive Primary School.