Assessment of Knowledge on Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Medical Doctors of a Medical College in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
- 1Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- 2Shree Birendra Hospital, Chhauni, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Several studies conducted globally have reported that the level of knowledge and awareness regarding ASD among physicians was low. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of childhood autism among medical doctors of a medical college, Kathmandu.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2023 June to 2024 February. Sample size was calculated based on the mean and standard deviation of scores obtained from a previous study. Stratified random sampling was done, and data were collected by structured one-on-one interviews using a proforma after ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee of NAIHS (Registration no 723). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0.
Results: A total of 192 medical doctors participated in the study, out of which 116 (60.41%) were men. Mean age of participants was 34.72 ± 9.00 years, with 118 (61.46%) being married and 87 (45.31%) having children. The mean total score of the KCAHW questionnaire was 13.27 ± 2.92 (total:19). The items where most physicians showed major knowledge gaps (scoring a zero) were the item “Autism association with abnormal eating habit” 111(57.81%) followed by “Autism association with Epilepsy” (107; 55.73%). According to their area of speciality, psychiatry scored the highest overall knowledge scores (18.00±2.00), whereas Biochemistry (9.50±4.95) showed the lowest mean scores.
Conclusions: The study found that medical specialists, particularly pediatricians and psychiatrists, as well as doctors who had prior experience with autism, showed higher knowledge scores.
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BibTeX
@article{budhathoki2026assessment,
title = {{Assessment of Knowledge on Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Medical Doctors of a Medical College in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study}},
author = {Lee Budhathoki and Jebish Pradhan and Mili Koirala and Leela Paudel and Parag Karki and Sunil Khadka and Lochana Shrestha and Sabin Bahadur Zoowa},
journal = {Journal of Nepal Medical Association},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.31729/jnma.v64i303.9692},
url = {https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.v64i303.9692},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Assessment of Knowledge on Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Medical Doctors of a Medical College in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
AU - Lee Budhathoki
AU - Jebish Pradhan
AU - Mili Koirala
AU - Leela Paudel
AU - Parag Karki
AU - Sunil Khadka
AU - Lochana Shrestha
AU - Sabin Bahadur Zoowa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/31
JO - Journal of Nepal Medical Association
DO - 10.31729/jnma.v64i303.9692
UR - https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.v64i303.9692
AB - Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Several studies conducted globally have reported that the level of knowledge and awareness regarding ASD among physicians was low. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of childhood autism among medical doctors of a medical college, Kathmandu. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2023 June to 2024 February. Sample size was calculated based on the mean and standard deviation of scores obtained from a previous study. Stratified random sampling was done, and data were collected by structured one-on-one interviews using a proforma after ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee of NAIHS (Registration no 723). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0. Results: A total of 192 medical doctors participated in the study, out of which 116 (60.41%) were men. Mean age of participants was 34.72 ± 9.00 years, with 118 (61.46%) being married and 87 (45.31%) having children. The mean total score of the KCAHW questionnaire was 13.27 ± 2.92 (total:19). The items where most physicians showed major knowledge gaps (scoring a zero) were the item “Autism association with abnormal eating habit” 111(57.81%) followed by “Autism association with Epilepsy” (107; 55.73%). According to their area of speciality, psychiatry scored the highest overall knowledge scores (18.00±2.00), whereas Biochemistry (9.50±4.95) showed the lowest mean scores. Conclusions: The study found that medical specialists, particularly pediatricians and psychiatrists, as well as doctors who had prior experience with autism, showed higher knowledge scores.
SN - 0028-2715
SN - 1815-672X
ER -