Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana

Alberta Twi-Yeboah; Abdul Cadri; Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi; Nana Ama Asi Danso; Nadia Mohammed-Sani

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana

Alberta Twi-Yeboah, Abdul Cadri, Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi, Nana Ama Asi Danso, Nadia Mohammed-Sani

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 7, Issue 2)

Received: 22 March 2021 Accepted: 6 April 2021 Published: 20 April 2021

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Abstract

Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 and analysis was performed with Stata Version 15. Results: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (p<0.05). Conclusion: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.

Published in	Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 7, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
Page(s)	65-75
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Autism, Knowledge, Attitude, Perception, Pre-school, Teachers

References

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Alberta Twi-Yeboah, Abdul Cadri, Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi, Nana Ama Asi Danso, Nadia Mohammed-Sani. (2021). Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Central African Journal of Public Health, 7(2), 65-75. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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ACS Style

Alberta Twi-Yeboah; Abdul Cadri; Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi; Nana Ama Asi Danso; Nadia Mohammed-Sani. Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2021, 7(2), 65-75. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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AMA Style

Alberta Twi-Yeboah, Abdul Cadri, Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi, Nana Ama Asi Danso, Nadia Mohammed-Sani. Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2021;7(2):65-75. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14,
  author = {Alberta Twi-Yeboah and Abdul Cadri and Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi and Nana Ama Asi Danso and Nadia Mohammed-Sani},
  title = {Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {7},
  number = {2},
  pages = {65-75},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20210702.14},
  abstract = {Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at pResults: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (pConclusion: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana
AU  - Alberta Twi-Yeboah
AU  - Abdul Cadri
AU  - Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi
AU  - Nana Ama Asi Danso
AU  - Nadia Mohammed-Sani
Y1  - 2021/04/20
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP  - 65
EP  - 75
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5781
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
AB  - Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at pResults: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (pConclusion: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Alberta Twi-Yeboah

Social and Behavioural Science, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana – Legon, Accra, Ghana
Abdul Cadri

Social and Behavioural Science, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana – Legon, Accra, Ghana
Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi

Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana – Legon, Accra, Ghana
Nana Ama Asi Danso

Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana – Legon, Accra, Ghana
Nadia Mohammed-Sani

Faculty of Health Sciences, Presbyterian University College, Abetifi, Eastern Region, Ghana

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Alberta Twi-Yeboah, Abdul Cadri, Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi, Nana Ama Asi Danso, Nadia Mohammed-Sani. (2021). Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Central African Journal of Public Health, 7(2), 65-75. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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Alberta Twi-Yeboah; Abdul Cadri; Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi; Nana Ama Asi Danso; Nadia Mohammed-Sani. Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2021, 7(2), 65-75. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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AMA Style

Alberta Twi-Yeboah, Abdul Cadri, Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi, Nana Ama Asi Danso, Nadia Mohammed-Sani. Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2021;7(2):65-75. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14

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@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14,
  author = {Alberta Twi-Yeboah and Abdul Cadri and Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi and Nana Ama Asi Danso and Nadia Mohammed-Sani},
  title = {Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {7},
  number = {2},
  pages = {65-75},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20210702.14},
  abstract = {Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at pResults: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (pConclusion: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana
AU  - Alberta Twi-Yeboah
AU  - Abdul Cadri
AU  - Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi
AU  - Nana Ama Asi Danso
AU  - Nadia Mohammed-Sani
Y1  - 2021/04/20
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP  - 65
EP  - 75
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5781
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.14
AB  - Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at pResults: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (pConclusion: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
ER  -

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