Abstract

Objectives: The study was designed to determine the prevalence of reading disorder among primary school students in Shahreza town (Iran).

Method: A total of 1200 students (boys and girls) were selected through stratified random sampling method (300 in each grade) and assessed by Children Color Raven Intelligence Scale and Reading Level Diagnostic Scale. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics mothods, nonparametric test, chi-square and Cramer’s V test.

Results: This survey revealed the highest prevalence of reading disorder in the grade two male students (10.8%), and the lowest in the grade five female students (2.8%). Prevalence of reading disorder was highest among rural grade two boys (11.3%) and lowest in the urban grade five girls (3.7%). The figures in the grade two and five students were 10.4% and 4.3% respectively. The mean prevalence of reading disorder in all the students (urban and rural) was 6.8%. Also, the difference between prevalence of reading disorder in boys and girls, urban and rural students, and different scholastic grades was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Reading disorder is more prevalent amongst male than female students. The prevalence is also higher in rural students than in urban students. In sum, reading disorder in this population is prevalent.