Etiological explanation, treatability and preventability of childhood autism: a survey of Nigerian healthcare workers' opinion

Abstract

Background: Because of their peculiar sociocultural background, healthcare workers in subSaharan African subcultures may have various conceptions on different aspects of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), such as etiology, treatment and issues of prognosis. These various conceptions, if different from current knowledge in literature about ASD, may negatively influence help-seeking behavior of parents of children with ASD who seek advice and information from the healthcare workers. This study assessed the opinions of healthcare workers in Nigeria on aspects of etiology, treatability and preventability of childhood autism, and relates their opinions to the sociodemographic variables.

Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa

“…A very significant proportion of 26.9% of the health care workers are of the opinion that etiology of autism spectrum disorders can be traced to supernatural causes. About fifty eight percent of these health care workers subscribed to natural causes as explanation for etiology of autism spectrum disorders, while 14.2% subscribed to preternatural causes, with rational explanations as yet unknown (Bakare et al, 2009a). The preternatural and supernatural etiological explanation for autism spectrum disorders as found in this study (Bakare et al, 2009a) is further substantiating the inseparable spiritual beliefs of Africans as it relates to etiological explanations for neuro-psychiatric disorders.…”

“…Many of the cases that are often less severe are likely to seek help from prayer houses, spiritualists and traditional healers (Bakare, 2006). This, possibly stemming from lay etiological explanation of autism spectrum disorders among Africans and African health care workers as documented by Bakare et al (2009a) in a study done in Nigeria. Oculocutaneous albinism, though infrequently reported in association with autism spectrum disorder, had been observed to occur co-morbidly with autism spectrum disorder in Africa (Bakare & Ikegwuonu, 2008).…”

“…One study in Nigeria assessed the opinion of health care workers, specifically nurses, on their perceived etiology of autism spectrum disorders (Bakare et al, 2009a). A very significant proportion of 26.9% of the health care workers are of the opinion that etiology of autism spectrum disorders can be traced to supernatural causes.…”

“…Lotter discussed cross-cultural perspectives on childhood autism. Africa, because of its peculiar sociocultural environment may have divergent conception on various aspects of autism spectrum disorder compared to that envisaged in the Western culture (Bakare et al, 2009a). In the same vein, cultural factors have recently been documented to influence characterization, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder worldwide (Bernier et al, 2010).…”

Child Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge About Autism and Attitudes Towards Traditional Chinese Medical Therapy of Autism: A Survey from Grassroots Institutes in China

“…All questionnaires and individual questionnaire items were adapted for a Chinese cultural context from measures utilized in previous studies assessing knowledge of ASD (6,17,18). The questionnaires (Additional files 1) assessed knowledge of children with ASD.…”