Assessment of knowledge regarding environmental risk factors that are influencing the risk of Autism among Antenatal Mothers

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) alludes to a scope of conditions portrayed by some level of debilitated social conduct, communication and language and a tight scope of interests and exercises that are both special to the individual and completed repetitively. ASDs starts in youth and will, in general, persevere into pre-adulthood and adulthood. As a rule, the conditions are apparent during the initial five years of life. People with ASD regularly present other co-happening conditions including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study aims to assess the knowledge of environmental risk factors that influence the risk of autism among antenatal mothers. A descriptive survey design was adopted with 100 samples using a convenient sampling technique. The significant findings of samples are 26% had inadequate knowledge, 64% had moderate knowledge, and 10% had adequate knowledge. The demographic variable of maternal age, education and place of residents are statistically significantly associated with the level of knowledge at p<0.001 level. The study findings revealed that antenatal mothers had moderately adequate knowledge regarding awareness on environmental risk factors that are influencing the risk of autism. So the antenatal mothers should be aware of environmental risk factors of autism. Early identification and treatment of these risk factors during gestation may play a role in reducing ASD risk factors.