Investigation of the information attitudes and awareness ofhealth professionals in family health centers about autismspectrum disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inadequacy in emotional and social relationships, impaired communication, predisposition to repetitive behaviors, and limitation of interest. ASD is an important public health problem due to its increasing prevalence in recent years. It is among the most common developmental disorders today. The signs and symptoms of ASD appear in early childhood and its effects last a lifetime. In the clinical course of ASD, starting special education and behavioral treatment at the earliest time together with early diagnosis affects the prognosis in a positive way. For this reason, family physicians and family health professionals (FHP) working in the family health center (FHC), where developmental follow-up and screening are performed, have an important role in the early diagnosis of ASD. In this study, it was aimed to examine the information attitudes and awareness of primary care physicians and family health professionals who have a great role in the early diagnosis of ASD. The sample of the study consists of 90 family physicians and 88 family health personnel working at the Niğde family health center. Data were gathered via the questionnaire xiii containing the sociodemographic data form, the ASD Knowledge and Attitude Scale and the ASD Awareness Questionnaire by applying to the participants on the internet. The level of information of family physicians was found to be higher than that of family health professionals. It was found that the level of information of family health professionals aged 35 and over, married family health professionals with children, family health professionals who are graduates of higher education, family physicians and family health professionals who have worked in the profession for more than 21 years. It was found that the level of awareness of family physicians aged 35 and over, family health professionals aged 18-24, married family health professionals, family health professionals who are graduates of higher education. It was determined that family physicians and FHPs working in PHCs had deficiencies in their information, attitudes and awareness about ASD. It is thought that it is important to organize trainings on the symptoms, early diagnosis and prevention of ASD, organize seminars, programs, and events emphasizing the importance of ASD and its early diagnosis, evaluation of children aged 18-36 in terms of ASD during follow-up and screening in FHCs. Thus, it will raise the awareness of primary care physicians and professionals. June 2021, 78 Pages Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, family health center, health worker, knowledge, atitude, awareness