The level of knowledge about autism spec-trum disorders among a university hospital healthcare professionals in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a mental disorder with an increasing prevalence in recent years. In this study, the autism knowledge level of healthcare professionals from different occupational groups and the factors affecting the knowledge level were evaluated. Method: A total of three hundred and seventeen (317) healthcare professionals working in tertiary health institutions in Turkey were included in the study. Participants completed both the Health Workers Information Form and the Knowledge about Childhood Autism Among Health Workers (KCAHW) questionnaire. Knowledge about childhood autism (KCA) as measured by scores in the KCAHW questionnaire. Results: The total mean score of participated healthcare professionals on KCAHW questionnaire was 12.62 +/- 2.80. Physicians' KCAHW test scores were significantly higher than other healthcare professionals (p<0.001). KCA was significantly associated with the age of healthcare professionals, had a higher mean score with increasing age (r=0.139, p=0.013). As the education level of the healthcare professionals and the time spent in the profession increased, the KCA also increased (respectively, p=0.002, p=0.043). KCA of doctors who were residency students were statistically significantly lower than those of specialist doctors (p=0.008). KCA was found to be significantly higher in healthcare professionals who had training on autism (p=0.001) and those who worked with a child with autism (p=0.009). Discussion: In this study, it was found that healthcare professionals' knowledge about ASD is poor. Although physicians were more aware of the diagnostic criteria, their awareness of autism and its associated disorders was low, as were other healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should receive regular training. Specially, it should be targeted from physicians to residents and non-physician healthcare professionals.