Hilal Yazıcı KOPUZ, Seda ERBAŞ
European Journal of Therapeutics - 2026;32(4):428-437
Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with onset in early childhood, for which early identification and timely intervention are critical determinants of developmental outcomes. Health care professionals' recognition of early ASD manifestations plays a central role in facilitating prompt diagnosis. This study aimed to assess ASD-related knowledge among health care professionals working at Gaziantep City Hospital and to examine sociodemographic and professional factors associated with knowledge levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study included health care professionals employed at Gaziantep City Hospital, comprising physicians, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, medical secretaries, and health technicians. Data were collected using an online questionnaire administered via Google Forms. ASD-related knowledge was evaluated using the Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers Questionnaire (KCAHW), while sociodemographic and professional characteristics were obtained through structured survey items. Results: A total of 392 health care professionals participated in the study, yielding a mean total KCAHW score of 12.73 +/- 3.50. Knowledge scores differed significantly across professional groups, with physicians and clinical health professionals, including nurses, midwives, and pharmacists, demonstrating higher knowledge levels than auxiliary health personnel (p = 0.012). Participants who had received ASD-related training achieved significantly higher knowledge scores than those without prior training (p < 0.001). In addition, health care professionals with 6-10 years of professional experience scored significantly higher than those with 0-5 years of experience (p = 0.027). Conclusion: Overall, knowledge of childhood autism among health care professionals was at a moderate level. Although clinical health professionals demonstrated higher knowledge levels than auxiliary staff, no significant differences were observed among physicians, nurses, and midwives. Prior ASD-related training and clinical exposure were associated with higher knowledge levels, highlighting the need to strengthen and sustain ASD-focused education during both undergraduate training and in-service professional development for all health care professionals.
