Community Knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception towards Autism Spectrum Disorders among Parents in Sakaka, Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Parents are an essential element of family intervention for all children, including those with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We can better understand and address parents' knowledge gaps about ASD through in-depth research and inquiry into parents' current level of understanding, attitude, and perception. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of ASD and influencing factors towards ASD among a group of parents with and without a child diagnosed with ASD in Sakaka, Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia. Using the cross-sectional study design, information from the parents was gathered using a pretested questionnaire that included validated scales for measuring knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to ASD. The required number of participants was selected using the convenience sampling method. We used Spearman's correlation test to determine the strength and direction of correlation between each domain. As a last step, we analyzed the influencing factors using binomial logistic regression. Among the 400 participants, 41.2% had high knowledge, 69.1% had a positive attitude, and 60.3% had a high perception of ASD. We found that knowledge was significantly higher among the parents with autistic individuals in the family (p = 038). The high and positive attitude was significantly greater among females (p = 0.010) and parents with high income (p = 0.007), and the perception was significantly associated with females (p = 0.037) and highly educated participants (p = 0.046). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and perception. Overall, only less than half of the participants had a high knowledge of ASD. Hence, we recommend awareness-raising programs for the parents in this region. Furthermore, a prospective study involving parents from all provinces of Saudi Arabia is recommended.

Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Population of Kazakhstan

BACKGROUND

In recent years, an abundance of research has substantiated the escalating prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on a global scale. The aim to assess the level of awareness regarding ASD among the Kazakhstan population, as well as their readiness to offer help to individuals affected by ASD.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted encompassing individuals aged 18 years and above, using both the Russian and Kazakh languages. The survey was administered through Google Forms during April to June 2023. The link to survey was disseminated through WhatsApp chats of different social groups, including primary care specialists (general practitioners and nurses), and educators from primary and secondary schools from all 17 regions of Kazakhstan, spanning urban and rural areas. 410 participants took part in the survey in total. Statistical significance will be defined as p-values < 0.05.

RESULTS

Individuals aged 25 and above, who are both educated and employed, exhibit a greater awareness of ASD compared to other demographic groups. A low proportion of respondents (18.3%) demonstrated familiarity with the key symptoms of ASD as well as on its causes. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that the primary resource for acquiring information about ASD was the internet for both of these regions.

CONCLUSION

Low awareness on ASD symptoms and treatment methods was identified in both areas. There is a need to develop activities to increase the public awareness on ASD, including knowledge on early symptoms of ASD and facilities that address the needs of people on the ASD and their families.

Perspective of adults in Saudi Arabia toward complementary and alternative medicine use for autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a high-prevalence neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communicational, social, and behavioral challenges. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of practices and products that fall outside the realm of conventional medicine practiced worldwide. Traditional CAM is a health practice that comes from a particular culture, such as the use of Zamzam water and black seeds in Saudi Arabia. CAM comprises widely utilized practices in Saudi Arabia for children of various ages and adults. In many cases, CAM is used to treat ASD. The aim of this study is to investigate the perspectives of adults in Saudi Arabia toward CAM for treating ASD.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an online questionnaire to adults in different regions of Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS

A total of 4,311 adults participated in this study; 66.8% were females and 33.2% were male. Half of the participants reported that they knew about ASD (54.7%). More than half of the participants indicated that CAM-including art therapy (69.0%), physical exercise (67.0%), and limiting the use of electronic (55.4%)-could help in ASD management. Around half of the respondents indicated a belief that traditional treatment cannot help in treating ASD (53.9%). Only 20.0% of the respondents thought that ASD could be entirely treated using CAM therapies. The most common source of knowledge about CAM was social media and the internet (58.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of participants in this study did not believe that ASD could be treated entirely using CAM. In addition, fewer than half of the participants believed that CAM therapies could improve different aspects of ASD, such as behavioral issues. The study highlighted the need for awareness among residents of Saudi Arabia regarding specific treatments for ASD.

Assessment of Parental Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception About Autism Spectrum Disorders in Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects young children in social relatedness and communication besides other characteristics. A community's awareness and early intervention services in diagnosing and treating autistic children are essential for preventing the expected complications, eg language delay, social interaction, and intellectual ability.

Aim

To assess the parent's knowledge and perceptions regarding autism and its associated clinical features and effects.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all available parents aged 18 years or more living in Aseer region. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire from randomly selected parents who attended outpatient clinics at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital and Aseer Central Hospital. Parents' knowledge regarding autism was assessed covering general knowledge, clinical features, social effects, consequences, and curability.

Results

A total of 477 parents participated. Parents' ages ranged from 18 to 85 years. 261 (54.7%) parents were male and 216 (45.3%) were females. Nearly 65.6% of parents were university graduates and 28.3% had a secondary level of education. About 50.9% of the parents know that genetics play a major role in causing autism, 69.6% think that most children with autism have special talents or abilities, 64.2% know that delayed language development is one of the main symptoms of autism, 61.2% also know that repetitive movements of the hands and head are a common symptom of autism. About 36.9% of parents think that diagnosing a child with autism will lead to discrimination against the child, 33.3% of parents think that autism is a rare condition in this country compared to the West.

Conclusion

The study showed that parents had poor knowledge levels regarding autism and its related clinical features, especially male parents with low levels of education. On the other hand, their perception of the disease and its frequency in the study area was satisfactory.