Knowledge And Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Pediatricians: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that requires early recognition and multidisciplinary management. Pediatricians play a key role in the early detection and referral of children with suspected ASD. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness levels of pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, and pediatric residents in Turkey regarding ASD, and to examine the influence of professional experience and educational background on these outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 125 physicians using the validated Turkish version of the Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers (KCAHW) scale. Sociodemographic data, clinical experience, and educational exposure were recorded. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The mean KCAHW score was 15.19 ± 2.15. No significant differences were observed based on gender, age, academic title, or years of experience (p>0.05). Higher scores were found among participants who had received ASD-related training during residency, were familiar with DSM-5 criteria, or had read ASD-related literature (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age and fewer years of experience were associated with a higher risk of lower knowledge scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that ASD knowledge among pediatricians in Türkiye is shaped predominantly by educational exposure and individual effort rather than seniority. Structured ASD-focused training modules should be incorporated into pediatric residency curricula and continuing medical education programs to strengthen early recognition and referral practices.

Keywords

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• KCAHW
• Pediatricians
• Knowledge

Çocuk Doktorlarının Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Konusundaki Bilgi ve Farkındalık Düzeyleri: Türkiye'den Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB), erken tanı ve çok disiplinli müdahale gerektiren nörogelişimsel bir bozukluktur. Çocuk doktorları, OSB’nin erken fark edilmesi ve yönlendirilmesinde kritik bir rol üstlenmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de görev yapan pediatri uzmanları, yan dal uzmanları ve asistanlarının OSB’ye ilişkin bilgi ve farkındalık düzeylerinin belirlenmesi ve mesleki deneyim ile eğitim öyküsünün bu düzeyler üzerindeki etkisinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Kesitsel araştırma kapsamında, 125 katılımcıdan “Sağlık Çalışanlarının Çocukluk Çağı Otizmi Hakkında Bilgi Anketi (SÇ-OBA)” ile veri toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların sosyodemografik özellikleri, deneyimleri ve eğitim öyküleri de değerlendirilmiştir. Veriler tanımlayıcı istatistikler, grup karşılaştırmaları ve lojistik regresyon analizleriyle analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Ortalama bilgi puanı 15,19 ± 2,15’tir. Cinsiyet, yaş, unvan ve deneyim süresi ile puanlar arasında anlamlı fark saptanmamıştır (p>0,05). Uzmanlık eğitimi sırasında OSB eğitimi almış, DSM-5 kriterlerini bilen ve literatür okuduğunu belirten katılımcılar daha yüksek puan almıştır (p<0,05). Daha genç yaş ve kısa mesleki deneyim, düşük bilgi düzeyi ile ilişkili bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Sonuç: Çocuk doktorlarının OSB’ye ilişkin bilgi düzeyi, büyük ölçüde eğitim ve bireysel çabayla şekillenmektedir. Asistanlık eğitimi ve hizmet içi eğitimlerde OSB odaklı yapılandırılmış içeriklerin artırılması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Otizm spektrum bozukluğu
• SÇ-OBA
• Çocuk doktorları
• Bilgi düzeyi

References

1. 1. American Psychiatric Publishing. American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition [DSM-5®]. Am Psychiatr Publ 2016; 51. APA 2013
2. 2. Shaw KA, Williams S, Patrick ME, et al. Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2025;74(2):1-22.
3. 3. Maenner MJ, Warren Z, Williams AR, et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years- Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2020. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2023;72(2):1-14.
4. 4. Oner O, Munir KM. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Revised (MCHAT-R/F) in an Urban Metropolitan Sample of Young Children in Turkey. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020;50(9):3312-3319.
5. 5. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network Surveillance Year 2000 Principal Investigators; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders--autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, six sites, United States, 2000. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2007;56(1):1-11.
6. 6. Volkmar F, Siegel M, Woodbury-Smith M, King B, McCracken J, State M. Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(2):237-257.
7. 7. Sturner R, Howard B, Bergmann P, et al. Autism screening at 18 months of age: a comparison of the Q-CHAT-10 and M-CHAT screeners. Mol Autism. 2022;13(1):2.
8. 8. Dursun OB, Turan B, Öğütlü H, et al. A new model for recognition, referral, and follow‐up of autism spectrum disorder: A nationwide program. Autism Research. 2022; 15(10):1961-1970.

9. 9. Maksimović S, Marisavljević M, Stanojević N, et al. Importance of Early Intervention in Reducing Autistic Symptoms and Speech-Language Deficits in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children (Basel). 2023;10(1):122.
10. 10. Effatpanah M, Shariatpanahi G, Sharifi A, Ramaghi R, Tavakolizadeh R. A Preliminary Survey of Autism Knowledge and Attitude among Health Care Workers and Pediatricians in Tehran, Iran. Iran J Child Neurol. 2019;13(2):29-35.
11. 11. Hayat AA, Meny AH, Salahuddin N, M Alnemary F, Ahuja KR, Azeem MW. Assessment of knowledge about childhood autism spectrum disorder among healthcare workers in Makkah- Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):951-957.
12. 12. Çitil G, Çöp E, Açıkel SB, Sarı E, Karacan CD, Şenel S. Assessment of the knowledge and awareness of pediatric residents and pediatricians about autism spectrum disorder at a single center in Turkey. J Community Psychol. 2021;49(7):2264-2275.
13. 13. Bakare MO, Ebigbo PO, Agomoh AO, Menkiti NC. Knowledge about childhood autism among health workers (KCAHW) questionnaire: description, reliability and internal consistency. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2008;4:17.
14. 14. Börte-Gürbüz Ö, Aksu H, Eser E. Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the knowledge about childhood autism among health workers questionnaire, Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology.2019;29(4):765-773.
15. 15. Doenyas C, Ekici B, Unay ÖS, Gönen İ, Tatlı B. Autism in Turkey: demographics, behavior problems, and accompanying medical conditions in a sample of Turkish youth with autism spectrum disorder. Int J Dev Disabil. 2021;69(2):179-189.
16. 16. Mandell DS, Novak MM, Zubritsky CD. Factors associated with age of diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2005;116(6):1480-1486.
17. 17. Kılınçel Ş, Baki F. Analysis of pediatricians’ knowledge about autism. Journal of surgery and medicine.2021; 5(2):153-157.
18. 18. Alpdoğan Y, Sazak E, Omak S. Investigation of Knowledge and Awareness of Family Physicians on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Turkey. Journal of Kirsehir Education Faculty. 2023;24(2).
19. 19. Rhoades RA, Scarpa A, Salley B. The importance of physician knowledge of autism spectrum disorder: results of a parent survey. BMC Pediatr. 2007;7:37.
20. 20. Rahbar MH, Ibrahim K, Assassi P. Knowledge and attitude of general practitioners regarding autism in Karachi, Pakistan. J Autism Dev Disord.2011;41(4):465-474.
21. 21. Wachob D, Pesci LJ. Brief Report: Knowledge and Confidence of Emergency Medical Service Personnel Involving Treatment of an Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2017;47(3):887-891.
22. 22. Gölbaşı H, Demirel Y, Nemmezi-Karaca S, Uzun-Çiçek A, Sarı SA. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Sivas City Center and ASD awareness of healthcare professionals in family health centers. Cukurova Med J. 2021;46(3): 998-1008.
23. 23. Arslan R, Yanık D. Examination of the Knowledge Levels of Healthcare Professionals about Childhood Autism in Terms of Various Variables. Journal of Inonu University Health Services Vocational School. 2022;10(3):930-940.
24. 24. Pirinççi S, Aksu H, Abacıgil F, Okyay P. The Level of Knowledge and Awareness About Autism Spectrum Disorder on 6th Class Students of Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine. Turk J Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2019;26(3):97-102.
25. 25. Sabuncuoğlu M, Cebeci S, Rahbar MH, Hessabi M.Autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: knowledge and attitude of family medicine residents in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine & Primary Care. 2015;9(2):46-53.
26. 26. Yüksek Planlama Kurulu, Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Bireylere Yönelik Ulusal Eylem Planı, 2016 Erişim: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2016/12/20161203-16.htm Erişim tarihi: 25.02.2023.