Parental Awareness and Preference towards Autism Screening in Dammam, Khobar, and Qatif in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common lifelong neurodevelopmental diseases diagnosed in children. This study aimed to evaluate the level of parental awareness and preference toward autism screening in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 423 parents in 29 primary health care centers (PHCS) in three different sectors: Dammam, Khobar, and Qatif in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Results: 37.6% participants had a 'low' level of knowledge, 52.2% had a 'medium' level, and 10.2% had a 'high' level of knowledge about ASD. There was a statistically significant relationship between the preference to screen during well-baby clinic visits and total knowledge (p < 0.017). There was a significant association between parents agreeing to their child having a friend with ASD and their willingness to screen online and on-site (p < 0.001 and p < 0.015, respectively). There were significant associations between total knowledge and agreeing that all children with ASD deserve a special form of education and agreeing to their children befriending a child with ASD (p = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion and Recommendations:  The level of knowledge about autism in this study sample was medium. Significant efforts should be made to raise knowledge through awareness campaigns. Further studies are needed to create and implement a screening tool in accordance with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.