PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN A SPECIALIST UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjmhs.v5i1.196Keywords:
autism spectrum disorder, parental knowledge, socioeconomic factors, early interventionAbstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. The prevalence of ASD is rising globally, necessitating greater awareness and knowledge among parents to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. Parents play a crucial role as primary caregivers in recognising ASD symptoms and ensuring their children receive appropriate healthcare. This study aimed to assess the level of ASD knowledge among parents at a specialist university hospital in Kelantan and examine the association between demographic factors and ASD knowledge. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 94 parents who did not have an autistic child and were not from a medical profession. The knowledge scores were categorised into low, medium, and high levels. Results indicated that 63.8% of respondents had moderate knowledge of ASD, 34% had low knowledge, and only 2.1% demonstrated a high level of knowledge. Gender (p = 0.008), educational level (p = 0.002), and monthly income (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with knowledge of ASD. These findings highlight the influence of socio-economic status and education on parental understanding of ASD. The study's limitations include the use of convenience sampling and an overrepresentation of mothers. Future research should incorporate a more diverse sample and explore additional sociodemographic variables to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing ASD knowledge. Improving parental awareness through targeted interventions is essential for enhancing early diagnosis and intervention outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 NAZIHAH MOHMAD DIAH, NUR ADIBAH SOLIHIN SULAIMAN SULAIMAN, NOOR SHUHADA SALLEH, NORHASMAH MOHD ZAIN, YASHENI SAMBANTHAN
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