Author/Authors :
Sangare, Modibo Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Dembele, Bakary Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Toure, Amadou Department of Pediatricians - University Hospital Gabriel Toure, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Diakite, Seidina West African center for cell biology of infectious pathogens - University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, Ghana , Awandare , Gordon West African center for cell biology of infectious pathogens - University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, Ghana , Kouyate, Modibo Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Doumbia, Seydou Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Diakite, Mahamadou West African center for cell biology of infectious pathogens - University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, Ghana , Togora, Arouna Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Coulibaly, Souleymane Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali , Dolo, Housseini Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology - University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Abstract :
Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are stigmatizing in Africa and traditional medical practitioners occupy the first line of diagnosis and treatment due to the cultural perception of ASD, and the scarcity of conventional health services in Mali. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning autism among traditional medical practitioners in Bamako, Mali.
Methods: We conducted a 6-week cross-sectional survey following a 1-day autism awareness seminary on September 9th, 2017 in Bamako. A questionnaire was designed to assess the KAP regarding autism. To assess their practices, parents of autistic children were asked about their experiences with traditional medical practitioners.
Results: Of the 37 study participants 67.60% were males and 56.8% had not heard about autism before the seminary. After the seminary, 73% claimed to understand the diagnosis criteria of autism, but only 16.2% could recall symptoms from all the three domains (reciprocal social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and stereotyped behaviors/restricted interests) of a child development impaired by autism. Of traditional medical practitioners, 73% believed autism was caused by devils, God’s will, bad luck and divine punishment of maternal misbehavior; 65% were used to treating mental illness, and 78.4% felt traditional healing was the only treatment option in autism. Negative attitudes towards autistic children were present in 18.9%, suggesting a very strong cultural mindset on autism.
Conclusion: Knowledge on autism was poor among traditional medical practitioners. A culturally tailored autism public engagement strategy is necessary to positively change the mindset of Malian traditional medical practitioners
