Open AccessA population-based survey of autistic traits in Kenyan adolescents and young adults
Author(s) -
Daniel Mamah,
Victoria Mutiso,
Isaiah Gitonga,
Albert Tele,
David M. Ndetei
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
south african journal of psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.425
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2078-6786
pISSN - 1608-9685
DOI - 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1694
Subject(s) - autism , kenya , cronbach's alpha , psychosocial , autism spectrum disorder , population , psychology , educational attainment , clinical psychology , autistic traits , psychiatry , demography , medicine , environmental health , psychometrics , economic growth , sociology , political science , law , economics
Background: To date, there have been no large-scale population studies of autistic traits (AUT) conducted in Africa.Aim: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders in a large sample of Kenyan adolescents and young adults.Setting: Tertiary academic institutions (87%) and directly from the community (13%).Methods: Our study surveyed 8918 youths (aged 15–25 years) using the autism spectrum quotient (AQ). Based on AQ scores, we derived groups with low (L-AUT), borderline (B-AUT), and high (H-AUT) autistic traits. Relationships of AUT with demographic factors, psychosis, affectivity and stress were investigated.Results: Internal consistency of the AQ in the population was excellent (Cronbach’s α = 0.91). Across all participants, 0.63% were estimated as having H-AUT, while 14.9% had B-AUT. Amongst community youth, prevalence of H-AUT was 0.98%. Compared to those with low and borderline traits, H-AUT participants were more likely to be males, to have lower personal and parental educational attainment, and to be of a lower socioeconomic status. The H-AUT group also had higher psychotic and affective symptoms as well as higher psychosocial stress than other groups.Conclusion: The prevalence of H-AUT amongst Kenyan youth is comparable to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rates in many countries. Autistic traits in Kenya are associated with worse social and clinical profiles. Further research on autism across Africa is needed to investigate cross-cultural heterogeneity of this disorder, and to guide healthcare policy.