Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon.
UMR Inserm 1253 Ibrain, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours, France.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 6;20(5):4622. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054622.
The daily functioning and overall well-being of people with ASD depends largely on understanding how the wider public views ASD. Indeed, an increased level of ASD knowledge in the general population may result in earlier diagnosis, earlier intervention, and better overall outcomes. The present study aimed to examine the current state of ASD knowledge, beliefs, and sources of information in a Lebanese general population sample, to identify the factors that could influence this knowledge. A total of 500 participants were involved in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted in Lebanon between May 2022 and August 2022 using the Autism Spectrum Knowledge scale, General Population version (ASKSG). Overall, the participants' understanding of autism spectrum disorder was low, with a mean score of 13.8 (6.69) out of 32, or 43.1%. The highest knowledge score was found for items related to knowledge of the symptoms and associated behaviors (52%). However, the level of knowledge regarding the etiology and prevalence, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and prognosis of the disease was low (29%, 39.2%, 46%, and 43.4%, respectively). Moreover, age, gender, place of residence, sources of information, and ASD case were all statistically significant predictors of ASD knowledge ( < 0.001, < 0.001, and = 0.012, < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). The general public in Lebanon perceive a lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge regarding ASD. This results in delayed identification and intervention, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes in patients. Raising awareness about autism among parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals should be a top priority.
自闭症谱系障碍患者的日常功能和整体幸福感在很大程度上取决于他们对公众如何看待自闭症谱系障碍的理解。事实上，提高公众对自闭症谱系障碍的认识可能会导致更早的诊断、更早的干预和更好的整体结果。本研究旨在调查黎巴嫩普通人群中自闭症谱系障碍知识、信念和信息来源的现状，以确定影响这些知识的因素。本横断面研究共纳入 500 名参与者，于 2022 年 5 月至 2022 年 8 月在黎巴嫩使用自闭症谱系知识量表（General Population version，ASKSG）进行。总的来说，参与者对自闭症谱系障碍的理解程度较低，平均得分为 32 分中的 13.8 分（6.69 分），即 43.1%。得分最高的是与症状和相关行为的知识相关的项目（52%）。然而，对于疾病的病因和流行率、评估和诊断、治疗、结果和预后的知识水平较低（分别为 29%、39.2%、46%和 43.4%）。此外，年龄、性别、居住地、信息来源和自闭症谱系障碍病例都是自闭症谱系障碍知识的统计学显著预测因素（<0.001、<0.001、=0.012、<0.001、<0.001，分别）。黎巴嫩的普通公众对自闭症谱系障碍的认识不足，了解不够。这导致识别和干预延迟，导致患者的结果不理想。提高家长、教师和医疗保健专业人员对自闭症的认识应是当务之急。
