A SURVEY OF HEALTH PROFESSIONAL'S KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS ABOUT AUTISM

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived challenges regarding ASD among primary healthcare professionals in two tertiary care hospitals in Wah and Taxila.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2024 to March 2025 among 90 primary healthcare physicians, including family physicians, general practitioners, and pediatricians with at least six months of clinical experience. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and completed a validated, adapted questionnaire covering demographic data, general knowledge of ASD, clinical practices, attitudes, awareness, and sources of information.

Results: The majority of participants were male (54.4%), aged between 30–39 years (42.2%), and had 6–10 years of experience (33.3%). The mean knowledge score was 7.8 ± 2.1 out of a possible 12, with 62.2% correctly identifying early symptoms of ASD and 55.6% aware of available screening tools. Positive attitudes were reported by 74.4% of respondents, although 68.9% cited limited resources and 61.1% reported lack of formal training as key challenges. The most common source of information was medical school (37.8%), followed by media (31.1%).

Conclusion: While primary healthcare professionals demonstrated positive attitudes toward ASD, there remain critical gaps in formal training, awareness of resources, and use of screening tools. Targeted educational initiatives and improved referral systems are needed to enhance early detection and effective management of ASD in primary care settings.