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Evaluation of Pediatricians' Knowledge of Autism in Saudi Arabia
Faisal O AlQurashi1,2, Beshaier Almulhem1,2, Sarah H AlShawaf1,2
1Department of Pediatrics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Medicine, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Pediatricians in Saudi Arabia show good knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but gaps exist in social interaction and comorbidities. Enhanced training is needed for early detection and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Public Health
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition requiring early detection for improved outcomes.
- Pediatricians are crucial for early ASD identification, but their knowledge in Saudi Arabia requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge of pediatricians in Saudi Arabia regarding childhood autism.
- Utilized the validated Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers (KCAHW) questionnaire.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 357 pediatricians in Saudi Arabia (Sept 2021 - Aug 2022).
- Administered the 19-item KCAHW questionnaire covering social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviors, and classification/comorbidities.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression models.
Main Results:
- Overall mean knowledge score was 15.24/19.
- High performance in communication (90.5% above average), but lower in social interaction (49.6% above average).
- Pediatricians trained abroad and subspecialists (developmental/behavioral, neurology) scored higher. Experience of 4-6 years correlated positively with knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians in Saudi Arabia possess above-average ASD knowledge, yet significant gaps persist, especially in social interaction and comorbidities.
- Highlights the need for targeted ASD training, particularly for locally trained and early-career pediatricians.
Background:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, and early detection is essential for improving outcomes. Pediatricians are often the first point of contact; however, their knowledge of ASD in Saudi Arabia remains unclear.
Objective:
The aim of this sudy was to evaluate the knowledge of pediatricians in Saudi Arabia regarding childhood autism using the validated Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers (KCAHW) questionnaire.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 357 pediatricians practicing in Saudi Arabia from September 2021 to August 2022. Participants completed the 19-item KCAHW questionnaire, which covered four knowledge domains: social interaction impairments, communication impairments, repetitive behaviors, and classification/comorbidities. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, and regression models) assessed associations between participant characteristics and knowledge scores.
Results:
The mean overall knowledge score was 15.24 ± 2.23 out of 19. While most participants performed well in the communication domain (90.5% scored above average), only 49.6% scored above average in social interaction knowledge. Pediatricians trained abroad scored significantly higher in domains 1 and 2. Subspecialists, particularly those in developmental/behavioral pediatrics and neurology, scored the highest. Pediatricians with 4-6 years of experience showed a positive association with overall knowledge.
Conclusion:
Pediatricians in Saudi Arabia demonstrated above-average knowledge of ASD, significant gaps remain - particularly in social interaction and comorbidities. These findings highlight the need for enhanced ASD-focused training, particularly for locally trained and early-career pediatricians.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Surveys
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.