Assessment of Knowledge and Practice About Childhood Autism Among Health Care Workers at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a recognised worldwide public health concern and represents some of the greatest burdens of disease in children and adolescents. Limited knowledge among health care providers, is among the issues daunting autism in Africa. A significant gap in recognition and availability of health and social services for autism exists in Kenya. Knowledge on autism leads to early diagnosis and timely intervention, leading to independent & productive lives. Assessing the HCWs knowledge, practice & challenges, to detect areas of knowledge gap is essential as it facilitates bridging the gaps identified . Paucity of studies on practice of HCWs on childhood autism both globally and locally, informs the need for this study. Objectives The primary objective was to determine the level of knowledge of health care workers in Kenyatta National Hospital on childhood autism. The Secondary objectives were to determine the practice of health care workers in Kenyatta National Hospital on childhood autism & to describe the challenges HCWs face in diagnosis, management & follow up of children with autism. Study Methods Mixed methods study at KNH. Multi-stage sampling technique to select 230 HCWs. Data was collected through a structured validated questionnaire, focused group discussions and key informant interviews. Data was entered and cleaned in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS Version 23. Descriptive data analysis was done using means for contionous variables and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was regarded as significant...................................................................