Estimates of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the Middle East and North Africa region: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prevalence estimates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are not readily available, amid a lack of recent evidence. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of ASD in the MENA region by synthesising evidence from published studies.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CINAHL for studies assessing ASD prevalence in the MENA region. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale. A bias-adjusted inverse variance heterogeneity meta-analysis model was used to synthesize prevalence estimates from included studies. Cochran's Q statistic and the I² statistic were used to assess heterogeneity, and publication bias assessed using funnel and

SUBMITTER: Akomolafe AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12278510 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature