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Published on: July 31, 2017
The pharmacists' awareness, knowledge and attitude about childhood autism in Istanbul
Nimet Emel Luleci1, Seyhan Hidiroglu2, Melda Karavus2
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Başıbüyük Yerleşkesi, Maltepe, 34854, Istanbul, Turkey. emlluleci@gmail.com.
Insights
Pharmacists in Turkey show limited knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including outdated beliefs on causes and social stigma. Improving their understanding is crucial for early detection and support for children with ASD.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Professional Education
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Public Health
Background:
- Pharmacists are key healthcare providers with potential roles in early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) detection and family support.
- Familiarity with ASD resources can empower pharmacists to guide families toward appropriate professional help.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pharmacists' awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted with 141 pharmacists in Istanbul, Turkey, using questionnaires.
- Data collection involved interviews with pharmacists across 7 selected municipalities.
Main Results:
- Pharmacists' correct answer rates varied from 33.4% to 73.1% across questions.
- Knowledge gaps were identified regarding ASD causes, with some pharmacists holding outdated beliefs.
- A significant majority (66.0%) perceived social stigma associated with autism in the community.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacists' knowledge of ASD requires enhancement.
- Improving awareness of basic ASD social characteristics can aid pharmacists in referring families to relevant health authorities.
Abstract:
Background Being one of the key players in healthcare, pharmacists could have an important role in the early detection and care of children with autism, by familiarizing themselves with autism-related resources and helping families to find relevant professional resources. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness of pharmacists about autism, and their knowledge and attitude towards autism. Setting İstanbul Province of Turkey. Method This descriptive study was carried out in pharmacists working in Istanbul Province of Turkey in 7 municipalities out of 39. One hundred forty-one out of 150 pharmacists who agreed to participate in our study were interviewed with the help of questionnaires. Main outcome measure Knowledge about childhood ASD and the social characteristics thereoff amongst pharmacists. Results Minimum 33.4 and maximum 73.1 % of the pharmacists gave correct answers to each question. Furthermore pharmacists' knowledge about causative factors of childhood ASD proved to be lacking and they tend to believe in outdated theories. The percentage of pharmacists believing that autism holds social stigma in this community was 66.0 %. Conclusion Pharmacists' knowledge regarding ASD needs to be improved. Enhancing their awareness, especially about basic social characteristics of childhood ASD will help pharmacists direct families of children with ASD to responsible health authorities.
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