Pol. Merkur. Lek (Pol. Med. J.), 2020, XLVIII/284: 087-092

SUMMARY IN POLISH & ENGLISH. FULL ARTICLE ONLY IN ENGLISH.

Assessment of student’s knowledge and awareness of autism spectrum disorder

Kostiukow A1, Poniewierski P1, Strzelecki W2, Samborski W1.

Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland: 1Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation; 2Department and Clinic of Clinical Psychology, Collegium Stomatologicum

Developmental disorder as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) gives a specific image significantly deviating from the norm in the areas of social and communicative functioning of the child, including the ability to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships. It is difficult to determine the occurrence of autism in the world accurately. However, the WHO estimates one diagnosis in 160 children in the world.
The aim of this study was to find how student’s knowledge and awareness of autism spectrum disorder looks like.
Material and methods. To assess awareness of autism was used the KCAHW questionnaire (Knowledge About Childhood Autism Among Health Workers). The research consisted of 446 people.
Results. Students in the second year of studies achieve lower results than those of the fourth and fifth year of studies. Students of medical faculties are characterised by lower awareness of disorder than students of pedagogical faculties.
Conclusions. The social level of knowledge is low. Especially among healthcare providers that are directly related to ASD.

Key words: autism, KCAHW, Assessment of knowledge, ASD

Pol Med J, 2020; XLVIII (284); 87–92