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The Level of Knowledge and Awareness About Autism Spectrum Disorder on 6th Class Students of Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine
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Original Article
VOLUME: 26 ISSUE: 3
P: 97-102
November 2019

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
DOI: 10.4274/tjcamh.galenos.2016.2016.06.028
Serhat Pirinççi 1
Hatice Aksu 2
Filiz Abacıgil 1
Pınar Okyay 1
1. Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, Aydın, Türkiye
2. Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Çocuk ve Ergen Ruh Anabilim Dalı, Aydın, Türkiye
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 28.06.2016
Accepted Date: 28.07.2016
Publish Date: 21.11.2019
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ABSTRACT

Objectives:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental syndrome that is defined by deficits in social reciprocity and communication, and by unusual restricted, repetitive behaviors. ASDs are one of the very common serious diseases. According to data from the American Psychiatric Association in June 2015, one per 68 children is diagnosed with ASD.

Materials and Methods:

The study is a descriptive study. The population of the research includes the grade 6 students from Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine (n=167). In the study, it was tried to involve the entire population. To determine the survey questions, the diagnostic criteria for DSM-5, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and Knowledge About Childhood Autism Among Health Workers Survey have been benefited from.

Results:

The study included 127 participants. Of these participants, 23 (18.1%) said they had not heard of ASD. There was no significant difference between men and women in terms of the level of knowledge (p=0.378). Twenty seven participants (21.1%) reported that they participated in the examination or follow-up of patients with ASDs during the internshipin the department of child psychiatry and there was a significant difference in the level of knowledge between the students who participated and did not participate (p<0.001). One of the five students who participated in the study stated that they never heard of ASD. This is because the students were asked about whether or not they heard about ASD in the first question of the survey and they were asked to finalize the survey if they did not. It can be suggested that the students not inetersted in the study might have preferred this option. Participation in the examination and follow-up of patients with ASD shows a positive effect in terms of memorability and awareness of knowledge.

Conclusion:

ASD’s being increasingly widespread has made this disease a major public health problem. The participation of medical students in the patient examinations and follow-up periods should be emphasized. Health workers should be given intermittent training seminars and refresher trainings.

References

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