Prevalence and correlates of autism spectrum disorder in Qatar: a national study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exist for Arabic countries. We conducted the first survey of ASD in Qatar, a population with high consanguinity level.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in Qatar school-age children (N = 176,960) from national and immigrant families. Children diagnosed with ASD were identified through medical centers and special needs schools. Records were abstracted and supplemented by parental interviews. Additionally, children attending 93 schools were screened; ASD case status was confirmed in random samples of screen-positive and screen-negative children. Prevalence was estimated after taking into account different sampling fractions and participation rates at each survey phase.

R

SUBMITTER: Alshaban F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6899566 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature