Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background There has been a dramatic increase in the incidence and prevalence rate of autism globally. This increase could be correlated to the increase in the awareness level and understanding of the disorder among healthcare providers and autistic children's families. Aim This study aimed to assess undergraduate nursing students' knowledge about and attitudes toward children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study design was used. A convenience sample of 235 undergraduate nursing students from all levels was obtained. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis (including mean, median, and standard deviation) was conducted. Inferential analysis was conducted to identify the relation between participants' demographic data and the subscales. Results The majority of the studied sample was aged 20 years or over (n=194, 82.55%) and was from the second year of undergraduate nursing school (n=120, 51.1%). The total mean score of the overall knowledge levels among nursing students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) was mild (M=0.91, SD=+/- 1.04), whereas the overall mean percentage score of undergraduate nursing students' attitudes toward care, education, and advocacy for autistic children was 74.38%, indicating a positive high level of attitude. Conclusions This study highlighted the level of nursing students' knowledge about childhood autism. Additionally, it disclosed their attitudes toward autistic children. The study filled a gap in the literature by revealing the perspectives of nursing students toward ASD.