RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There is a critical gap in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) research with respect to manifestations of the condition in developing countries This study examined the influence of sociodemographic variables on the severity of autistic symptoms and behavioral profile in Arab children. METHODS: The total study sample comprised of 60 Arab children (38 boys and 22 girls) from three Arab countries (22 Jordanians, 19 Saudis and 19 Egyptians). The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) was based on DSM-IV criteria supplemented by direct observation according to the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) and assessment of Intelligent Quotient (IQ). Finally, parents rated their child on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: It was found that the housewives and Saudi parents described more autistic symptoms and externalizing behavior problems. A significant negative correlation was found between IQ and each of ISAA, CBCL Internalizing and Externalizing problems scores. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the clinical presentation of ASD may be shaped by cultural factors that are likely to help to formulate specific diagnosis and intervention techniques in Arab children with ASD.
Asunto(s)
Árabes/estadística & datos numéricos , Trastornos Generalizados del Desarrollo Infantil/epidemiología , Adolescente , Niño , Trastornos Generalizados del Desarrollo Infantil/etnología , Preescolar , Egipto/epidemiología , Femenino , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Jordania/epidemiología , Masculino , Padres , Arabia Saudita/epidemiología , Factores SocioeconómicosRESUMEN
AIMS: The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to define the possible determinants of early initiation and exclusivity of breastfeeding and to assess knowledge towards breastfeeding among Saudi mothers in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Six hundred forty-one Saudi mothers with singleton infants approximately 24 months old attending well-baby clinics at four urban and six rural primary health care centers were selected through the multistage sampling method. Eligible mothers were invited to a personal interview using pretested questionnaires to gather data regarding sociodemographics, health-related variables, breastfeeding initiation, and current breastfeeding practices and to assess mothers' knowledge about breastfeeding. RESULTS: Breastfeeding was initiated by 77.8% of mothers within the first 24 hours of childbirth. Exclusive breastfeeding at birth was reported in 76.1%, which declined to 32.9% and 12.2% at the age of 2 and 6 months, respectively. Increased maternal age, multiparity (three or more children), and vaginal delivery were significant positive predictors for early breastfeeding initiation as revealed by stepwise logistic forward regression. Rural, less-educated, low-income multiparous mothers were more likely to exclusively breastfed their infants as revealed by multivariate logistic regression. Irrespective of educational status, surveyed mothers demonstrated several misconceptions towards breastfeeding. Furthermore, early initiations and exclusivity were significantly influenced by sociodemographics, especially maternal educational and employment status. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of initiation and exclusivity of breastfeeding in Al Hassa is far below the World Health Organization recommendations.