Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the knowledge about childhood autism among health workers questionnaire

A cross-sectional study of community pharmacists' self-reported disease knowledge and competence in the treatment of childhood autism spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioural challenges. Given the rising prevalence of autism and multiple medication use, healthcare professionals, including community pharmacists, are required to have sufficient ASD knowledge to affect positively the disease prognosis and related comorbidities.

AIM

To assess community pharmacists' knowledge of disease and pharmacotherapy of ASD, along with the provision of patient education and counselling provided by, community pharmacists in Turkey.

METHOD

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among community pharmacists in Turkey using a structured, validated questionnaire to assess ASD knowledge, awareness, and the provision of patient education and counselling by community pharmacists.

RESULTS

486 community pharmacists were included, with a mean age of 39.69 ± 13.10 years, and most (n = 151, 31.1%) in the age range between 20 and 29 years. 96.3% of community pharmacists never had training about ASD. 32.9% of the participants were aware of the medicines for ASD treatment, and 25.7% were aware of the drugs' side effects. The mean overall knowledge about childhood autism among health workers questionnaire (KCAHW) score was 11.83 ± 3.91, and there was a statistically significant KCAHW score difference between other pharmacists and those with ASD training (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of disease and pharmacotherapy knowledge about childhood ASD among Turkish community pharmacists, particularly about communication impairment, type, onset, and comorbidities, as well as poor knowledge about drug pharmacotherapy and patient counselling services. This potentially creates a barrier to the adequate provision of healthcare to autistic patients.

Knowledge about childhood autism among nurses in Turkey: A cross-sectional descriptive study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge that nurses possess about childhood autism.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 278 nurses. A personal information form, which was created by the present researchers, and Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers questionnaire were used to collect data.

FINDINGS

The mean knowledge level was 12.29 ± 3.19. There was a significant difference in total scale scores as a function of participation in a training program on childhood autism and acquaintance with a person with autism.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses play an important role in the early diagnosis of childhood autism. Therefore, they should be educated about childhood autism.