Abstract
BackgroundTo date, there have been no large-scale population studies of autistic traits (AUT) conducted in Africa.AimThe study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders in a large sample of Kenyan adolescents and young adults.SettingTertiary academic institutions (87%) and directly from the community (13%).MethodsOur study surveyed 8918 youths (aged 15–25 years) using the autism spectrum quotient (AQ). Based on AQ scores, we derived groups with low (L-AUT), borderline (B-AUT), and high (H-AUT) autistic traits. Relationships of AUT with demographic factors, psychosis, affectivity and stress were investigated.ResultsInternal consistency of the AQ in the population was excellent (Cronbach’s α = 0.91). Across all participants, 0.63% were estimated as having H-AUT, while 14.9% had B-AUT. Amongst community youth, prevalence of H-AUT was 0.98%. Compared to those with low and borderline traits, H-AUT participants were more likely to be males, to have lower personal and parental educational attainment, and to be of a lower socioeconomic status. The H-AUT group also had higher psychotic and affective symptoms as well as higher psychosocial stress than other groups.ConclusionThe prevalence of H-AUT amongst Kenyan youth is comparable to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rates in many countries. Autistic traits in Kenya are associated with worse social and clinical profiles. Further research on autism across Africa is needed to investigate cross-cultural heterogeneity of this disorder, and to guide healthcare policy.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterised by social and communication deficits, as well as restrictive or repetitive behaviours
Our current study explores the prevalence of autistic traits (AUT) using the autism spectrum quotient (AQ)[16,17] in a large (N = 8918) cohort of Kenyan adolescents and young adults
We found the prevalence of high AUT (H-AUT) to be 0.63% of adolescents and young adults
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterised by social and communication deficits, as well as restrictive or repetitive behaviours. Symptoms are usually first noticed in early childhood, and occurs three to four times more frequently in boys than in girls.[1] In developed countries, the prevalence of ASD has doubled over the last two decades to 1.5% of children.[2] The reasons for this increase are unclear, and may be partly related to improved case identification and diagnostic trends.[2,3] Methods for determining autism prevalence varies across studies, which can profoundly affect the estimates. Autism spectrum disorder prevalence has generally been estimated using three basic approaches: tallying diagnosed cases, examining records to identify undiagnosed cases, and screening large populations. There have been no large-scale population studies of autistic traits (AUT) conducted in Africa
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Schedule a callMore From: The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa
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