Correlates of methylphenidate use in Canadian children: a cross-sectional study

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.

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.

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.

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.