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Wei H, Li Y, Zhang Y, Luo J, Wang S, Dong Q, Tao Y, Gong L, Feng Y, Shi M, Cao Z, Liu Y, Chen L, Liu X, Dai Y, Qu L, Song Z, Chen J, Li T, Cheng Q. Awareness and knowledge of autism spectrum disorder in Western China: Promoting early identification and intervention. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:970611. [PMID: 36440386 PMCID: PMC9686393 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.970611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Given the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the public health problems it creates; early identification and interventions are needed to improve the prognosis of ASD. Hence, this study surveyed different groups of people who are likely to have early contact with autistic children to provide an informed basis for early detection and effective diagnosis and interventions. METHODS Three groups of people were recruited for the study from Changshou District and Wushan County of Chongqing, in Western China: 269 medical workers, 181 educators, and 188 community residents. Their understanding and knowledge of autism was measured using a self-made questionnaire. RESULTS The positive finding was that the three groups had a certain level of understanding of autism, but they had some misunderstandings of the core problems, and there were significant differences in the understanding of autism among the three groups. Younger medical workers knew more about autism than older ones did. The ability of educators and community residents to identify autistic symptoms was positively related to their level of education and their experience with autistic children. Television and the internet were the main sources of information about autism for participants. CONCLUSIONS The medical workers, educators, and community residents in the investigated areas in western China may be able to identify early signs of autism but have an inadequate understanding of autism. In areas far from cities, it is necessary to strengthen the training of medical workers in primary health care to promote autism screening and referral in educational institutions and communities. Using internet technology to provide public education and professional training about autism in remote areas could be a very promising method in Western China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wei
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinmei Luo
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiujun Dong
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tao
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Gong
- Department of Child Healthcare, Changshou District Maternal and Child Care Family Planning Service Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Feng
- Department of Child Healthcare, Changshou District Maternal and Child Care Family Planning Service Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingmei Shi
- Department of Children's Rehabilitation, Wushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenghui Cao
- Department of Children's Rehabilitation, Wushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongfang Liu
- Department of Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingling Qu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhao Song
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingyu Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Chongqing, China
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