The The Association Between Knowledge and Positive Attitudes Towards Autism Spectrum Patients in Thai Population
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Abstract
Objective: To find the association between the knowledge of Autism spectrum disorder and the positive attitude toward Autism patients in Thai general population.
Methods: This research was a secondary analysis study from “The internet survey of knowledge and attitude toward Autism spectrum disorder in Thai population”. Samples were 1,203 Thai volunteers who responded the questionnaire. Both knowledge of Autism spectrum disorder and positive attitude toward the patient were measured by the validated questionnaires. The results were analyzed by Chi-square and Spearman Rank Correlation tests.
Results: Of 1,203 participants, the mean age was 35.9 ± 10.2 years, with 86.7% female. The mean score of the knowledge of Autism spectrum disorder was at 10.6 +- 2.6, with all categorical knowledge (causes, symptoms, treatment and prognosis) were ranked in good level. The average score of positive attitudes toward autism patients was at 44.9 +- 5.6. Chi square test showed that the participants group with higher knowledge had more positive attitude toward autism patients than the lower knowledge group, with statistical significance (p-value < 0.1). Spearman Rank Correlation test found that the score of knowledge, in all categories, were positively correlated to the score of positive attitudes toward autism patients, with statistical significance (p-value < 0.1).
Conclusion: The accurate knowledge of Autism spectrum disorder, in all aspects, is associated with the positive attitude towards autism patients in individuals. Thus, introducing the accurate knowledge about Autism spectrum disorder to public awareness could lead to better perspective among the autism patients in Thai society.
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