Abstract
Objectives:
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of methylphenidate (MPH) use among Canadian children aged 2 to 11 years, from 1994–1995 to 1998–1999 and to identify sociodemographic, child, and parent–family correlates are identified.
Methods:
Cross-sectional data collections from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) for 1994–1995, 1996–1997, and 1998–1999 were used and samples weighted up to population levels (n = 17 814 in 1994–1995, 13 575 in 1996–1997, and 18 980 in 1998–1999). Logistic regression identified correlates of parent-reported MPH use in each time period.
Results:
MPH use by Canadian children increased from 1.33% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17% to 1.50%) in 1994–1995 to 1.60% (95%CI, 1.42% to 1.78%) in 1998–1999. Use among school children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 1.94% (95%CI, 1.68% to 2.20%) in 1994–1995 to 2.42% (95%CI, 2.14% to 2.71%) in 1998–1999. Use of MPH increased among girls, from 0.52% (95%CI, 0.32% to 0.67%) in 1994–1995 to 0.97% (95%CI, 0.77% to 1.17%) in 1998–1999. For a child with parent-reported hyperactivity, the odds ratios for using MPH were 6.30 (95%CI, 4.94 to 8.90) in 1994–1995 and 12.54 (95%CI, 9.74 to 16.16) in 1998–1999. Age 6 to 11 years, male sex, and absence of parental alcohol use were significant correlates of MPH use in all time periods. Parental smoking correlated with MPH use in 1994–1995 and in 1998–1999.
Conclusions:
Less than 2% of Canadian children used MPH between 1994 and 1999. Some increase in use occurred among school-aged children and girls. Parent-reported hyperactivity was the most important correlate of MPH use.