Knowledge and attitude concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among Taif Medical College students Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: To Assess the knowledge about childhood ASD among second and sixth year medical students in Taif medical college KSA.Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in medical college - Taif City, KSA-from September to December 2016. All students of second and sixth year present at time of data collection were included in our study. Data collection was done by Knowledge About Childhood Autism Among Health Worker questionnaire from second and sixth year medical students. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.Results: Second year (Group A) out of 163 students who completed the study 88 (54.0%) males, and 75 (46.0%) females, regarding sixth year (Group B) total respondents were 84 students 44 (52.4%) males and 40 (47.6%). The mean score of questionnaire assessing knowledge for group B was (8.99±1.91) which was statistically significant higher than group A (6.44±2.24) p=<0.001*. Also the attitude score for group B (3.92±0.97) was statistically significant higher than group A (3.29±1.33) p=<0.001*. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between total overall knowledge and attitude of our study sample p= <0.001*Conclusions: Medical students curriculum should include information about ASD allowing them better screening, early diagnosis, thus better prognosis.