A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa
The burden of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is not well known. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to identify published work from SSA. We have systematically searched four databases, namely, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Child Development & Adole...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Behavioural Neurology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3501910 |
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| author | Amina Abubakar Derrick Ssewanyana Charles R. Newton |
| author_facet | Amina Abubakar Derrick Ssewanyana Charles R. Newton |
| author_sort | Amina Abubakar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The burden of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is not well known. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to identify published work from SSA. We have systematically searched four databases, namely, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Child Development & Adolescent Studies, through EBSCO and identified studies from across SSA. Based on predefined inclusion criteria, 47 studies were included in this review. Most of the identified studies (74%) were conducted in only 2 African countries, that is, South Africa and Nigeria. Additionally, most of these studies (83%) were carried out in the last decade. These studies had four major themes: development of measurement tools of ASD in Africa, examining the prevalence of ASD, identifying risk factors and risk markers, and examining psychosocial issues. We identified only a single population level study aimed at documenting the prevalence of ASD and could not identify a single case-control study aimed at examining a comprehensive set of potential risk factors. All intervention studies were based on very small sample sizes. Put together, our findings suggest that current evidence base is too scanty to provide the required information to plan adequately for effective intervention strategies for children with ASD in Africa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-03f4f0ad7a624ade96f43d3eefc4af40 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0953-4180 1875-8584 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioural Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-03f4f0ad7a624ade96f43d3eefc4af402025-02-03T05:53:25ZengWileyBehavioural Neurology0953-41801875-85842016-01-01201610.1155/2016/35019103501910A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan AfricaAmina Abubakar0Derrick Ssewanyana1Charles R. Newton2Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Kilifi, KenyaKenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Kilifi, KenyaKenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Kilifi, KenyaThe burden of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is not well known. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to identify published work from SSA. We have systematically searched four databases, namely, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Child Development & Adolescent Studies, through EBSCO and identified studies from across SSA. Based on predefined inclusion criteria, 47 studies were included in this review. Most of the identified studies (74%) were conducted in only 2 African countries, that is, South Africa and Nigeria. Additionally, most of these studies (83%) were carried out in the last decade. These studies had four major themes: development of measurement tools of ASD in Africa, examining the prevalence of ASD, identifying risk factors and risk markers, and examining psychosocial issues. We identified only a single population level study aimed at documenting the prevalence of ASD and could not identify a single case-control study aimed at examining a comprehensive set of potential risk factors. All intervention studies were based on very small sample sizes. Put together, our findings suggest that current evidence base is too scanty to provide the required information to plan adequately for effective intervention strategies for children with ASD in Africa.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3501910 |
| spellingShingle | Amina Abubakar Derrick Ssewanyana Charles R. Newton A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa Behavioural Neurology |
| title | A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full | A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_fullStr | A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_short | A Systematic Review of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_sort | systematic review of research on autism spectrum disorders in sub saharan africa |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3501910 |
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