Awareness and Knowledge About Autism Among ASHA Workers: A Cross-sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Healthcare Worker Training

Background:

• Early identification and intervention are crucial for better outcomes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Limited awareness of ASD among frontline healthcare workers contributes to diagnostic and referral delays.
• Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are key frontline workers in India's healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the awareness and knowledge of autism among ASHA workers.
• To identify gaps in understanding ASD signs, symptoms, and management.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 103 ASHA workers in Udupi district, Karnataka, India.
• A semi-structured assessment tool was used to gather socio-demographic data and assess basic autism awareness.
• Knowledge of ASD signs and symptoms was evaluated using modified items from the Indian Autism Screening Questionnaire (IASQ).

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of ASHA workers (70.5%) incorrectly categorized autism as a mental illness.
• Awareness of the earliest diagnostic age (58.8% identified 3 years) and necessary treatments (68.2% mentioned medication alongside therapies) showed gaps.
• ASHA workers with prior training on developmental disorders demonstrated better knowledge of ASD symptoms, unlike 3% who reported no knowledge.

Conclusions:

• ASHA workers exhibit limited awareness and knowledge regarding autism spectrum disorder's symptoms, progression, and management.
• Findings underscore the necessity for specialized autism awareness programs integrated into existing ASHA training.
• Enhanced training can improve ASHA workers' capacity for early identification and timely referral of children with ASD for intervention.