AWARENESS OF NURSING STAFF ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

Introduction. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the neurological disorder characterized by the lack of social communication and interaction, as well as the limited or repetitive behavioral patterns. The prevalence of ASD has shown the increase in the world; consequently, early identification of ASD signs plays a key role in the treatment effectiveness. It is also crucial to note the importantance nurses in coordinating the care of children with ASD and their families. Aim: to study the awareness, knowledge and experience of nurses regarding ASD. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The questionnaire, that included 19 questions on the autism awareness of children developed by Muideen O. Bakare et al was adapted. The questionnaire has been translated and adapted to Kazakh and Russian languages. The survey was conducted among nurses of the general practitioners and pediatricians of healthcare facilities that provide primary care (PHC) in Almaty. Results. The majority of respondents in both groups had more than 11 years of work experience (44,7%). 66,7% of respondents consider ASD as a mental disorder, and approximate 9,1% of respondents interested to learn more about ASD. 70,9% of respondents know about the changes in ICD-11. Only 41,7% were aware of all methods of ASD diagnosis, and only 27,8% were aware of the modified autism screening test for children. Pediatric nurses showed more in-depth knowledge in four areas than general nurses. Conclusion. Nurses need capacity-building training in caring for patients with ASD, especially working in teams with GPs. Healthcare managers need to prioritize the knowledge transfer trainings of nurses due to recent ASD increase and timely screening is best measure to provide effective care and treatment.