Revisiting the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Omani Children: A multicentre study
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2019, Vol 19, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to provide an updated estimate of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among Omani children. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted from December 2011 to December 2018. Data were retrieved from the three main autism diagnostic centres in Oman: Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Royal Hospital and Al-Massarah Hospital. The ASD diagnosis was made by experienced clinicians based on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The overall population prevalence estimates per 10,000 children aged 0–14 years old in Oman were calculated using the denominator of the mid-period population data. Results: A total of 1,705 ASD cases were identified with the majority of cases being male (78.1%). The overall prevalence rate of ASD was estimated at 20.35 per 10,000 children (95% confidence interval: 19.39–21.32) between 2012–2018. Boys were found to have a 3.4-fold higher prevalence of ASD than girls (31.23/10,000 versus 9.07/10,000). Regionally, the majority of cases were found in the capital, Muscat, where the highest prevalence was 36.51 cases per 10,000 children. Conclusion: The prevalence of ASD among Omani children is 15-fold higher than estimates from 2011. This increase can be attributed to improvements in diagnostic services, increased awareness of ASD, better screening programmes and changes in diagnostic criteria. In addition, this increase in prevalence suggests a need for a registry of developmental disabilities and more extensive diagnostic and rehabilitation services in Oman.
Authors and Affiliations
Watfa Al-Mamari, Ahmed B. Idris, Samar Dakak, Muna Al-Shekaili, Zuwaina Al-Harthi, Asia M. Alnaamani, Fatma I. Alhinai, Saquib Jalees, Moza Al Hatmi, Mohamed A. El-Naggari, M. Mazharul Islam
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP675779
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2019.19.04.005
- Views 303
- Downloads 0
Sturge-Weber Syndrome without Facial Nevus
Four Decades of Progress Evolution of the health system in Oman
Since 1970, Oman has witnessed rapid and signifcant improvements in health made possible largely because of the country’s success in building a state-of-the-art health care infrastructure. Tis paper presents Oman’s...
Decisions to Perform Emergency Caesarean Sections at a University Hospital Do obstetricians agree?
Objectives: Tis study was undertaken to assess the degree of agreement amongst obstetricians regarding decisions to perform emergency Caesarean section (CS) procedures at a university hospital. Methods: Tis retrospecti...
: Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging A Wake-up Call for Oman!
Thyrotoxic Neuropathy A rare cause of acute flaccid paraplegia
Acute polyneuropathy is a rare manifestation of severe hyperthyroidism. We report a 22-year-old Omani male who presented to the Sohar Hospital, Sohar, Oman, in 2016 with acute-onset rapidly progressive flaccid arefle...