A population-based survey of autistic traits in Kenyan adolescents and young adults

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 instit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The South African journal of psychiatry 2022, Vol.28 (1), p.1694-1694
Main Authors: Mamah, Daniel, Mutiso, Victoria, Gitonga, Isaiah, Tele, Albert, Ndetei, David M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Adults
Africa
Autism
autistic
Health aspects
Kenya
Original Research
Pervasive developmental disorders
Psychological aspects
Psychological manifestations of general diseases
Surveys
Teenagers
Traits
Young adults
Youth
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1608-9685
2078-6786
DOI:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1694