Department of Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
Res Social Adm Pharm. 2012 Sep-Oct;8(5):464-71. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2011.11.002. Epub 2012 Jan 4.
In the past few decades, the prevalence of autism has increased tremendously in the United States. The prevalence of autism is now higher than the combined prevalence of juvenile diabetes, pediatric cancer, and pediatric AIDS. As health care professionals with a high visibility in a community, pharmacists are likely to encounter more and more families having a child affected by this disorder.
The purpose of this study was to assess pharmacists' awareness and knowledge of autism. The study aimed to assess pharmacists' familiarity with autism symptoms, treatment medications, and community resources devoted to this disorder. Further, pharmacists' knowledge of common myths associated with autism, etiology, prognosis, and treatment were assessed.
Using a cross-sectional design, an online survey of pharmacists registered in the state of Mississippi (MS) was conducted, using the Qualtrics software program. Descriptive analysis of study items was conducted.
A total of 147 usable responses (5.8%) were received. The results indicated gaps in pharmacists' awareness and knowledge of autism. Approximately, 23% of pharmacists did not know that autism is a developmental disorder, and 32% did not believe that genetics has a major role in autism etiology. More than 18% believed that vaccines can cause autism. Most (>90%) felt that they could benefit from autism continuing education (CE).
Policy makers and autism agencies should consider providing educational interventions or CE programs to increase pharmacists' awareness and knowledge of autism.
在过去的几十年中，自闭症在美国的患病率大幅增加。自闭症的患病率现在高于青少年糖尿病、儿科癌症和儿科艾滋病的总和。作为在社区中具有高度知名度的医疗保健专业人员，药剂师可能会遇到越来越多的家庭，其孩子患有这种疾病。
本研究旨在评估药剂师对自闭症的认识和了解。该研究旨在评估药剂师对自闭症症状、治疗药物和专门针对这种疾病的社区资源的熟悉程度。此外，还评估了药剂师对与自闭症相关的常见误解、病因、预后和治疗的了解程度。
使用横断面设计，使用 Qualtrics 软件程序对密西西比州（MS）注册的药剂师进行了在线调查。对研究项目进行了描述性分析。
共收到 147 份可用回复（5.8%）。结果表明，药剂师对自闭症的认识和了解存在差距。大约 23%的药剂师不知道自闭症是一种发育障碍，32%的药剂师不相信遗传在自闭症病因中有主要作用。超过 18%的人认为疫苗会导致自闭症。大多数（>90%）人认为他们可以从自闭症继续教育（CE）中受益。
政策制定者和自闭症机构应考虑提供教育干预或 CE 计划，以提高药剂师对自闭症的认识和了解。
