Josephat M Chinawa1, Pius C Manyike2, Elias C Aniwada1, Awoere T Chinawa3, Herbert A Obu4, Odutola I Odetunde5, Ada Rc Nwokocha1, Roland R Ibekwe6. 1. College of Medicine, Department of pediatrics, University of Nigeria/ University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria. 2. Federal Teaching Hospital. 3. (Epid& Med Stat), FWACP, FMCPH Lecturer, College of Community medicine, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria. 4. Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria/ University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria. 5. College of Medicine,Department of pediatrics, University of Nigeria/ University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria. 6. Department of pediatrics, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in South East, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence and socio-economic pattern of childhood autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in Enugu and Ebonyi states, South East Nigeria. The questionnaire was adapted from American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). The study was carried out between June and October, 2014. The schools were selected by listing all the mixed schools in the urban and semi- urban areas by simple random sampling. RESULTS: A total of 721 subjects completed the questionnaire. The age of respondents ranged between 3 and 18 years, with mean age of 12.71 and standard deviation of 3.03 years. Twenty one children fulfilled the criteria for autism giving a prevalence of 2.9%. There is a significant association between age in categories (fishers exact test, p = 0.013) and social class (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of autism was 2.9%; and the socio-economic characteristics of childhood autism in South East Nigeria are similar to those in other parts of the world.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in South East, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence and socio-economic pattern of childhood autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in Enugu and Ebonyi states, South East Nigeria. The questionnaire was adapted from American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). The study was carried out between June and October, 2014. The schools were selected by listing all the mixed schools in the urban and semi- urban areas by simple random sampling. RESULTS: A total of 721 subjects completed the questionnaire. The age of respondents ranged between 3 and 18 years, with mean age of 12.71 and standard deviation of 3.03 years. Twenty one children fulfilled the criteria for autism giving a prevalence of 2.9%. There is a significant association between age in categories (fishers exact test, p = 0.013) and social class (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of autism was 2.9%; and the socio-economic characteristics of childhood autism in South East Nigeria are similar to those in other parts of the world.
Entities:
Keywords:
Childhood autism; Nigeria; primary and secondary schools
Authors: Tara A Lavelle; Milton C Weinstein; Joseph P Newhouse; Kerim Munir; Karen A Kuhlthau; Lisa A Prosser Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-02-10 Impact factor: 7.124