A cross-sectional study of community pharmacists' self-reported disease knowledge and competence in the treatment of childhood autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease that can cause signifcant social, communication, and behavioural challenges. Given the rising prevalence of autism and multiple medication use, healthcare professionals, including community pharmacists, are required to have sufcient ASD knowledge to afect positively the disease prognosis and related comorbidities. Aim To assess community pharmacists’ knowledge of disease and pharmacotherapy of ASD, along with the provision of patient education and counselling provided by, community pharmacists in Turkey. Method This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among community pharmacists in Turkey using a structured, validated questionnaire to assess ASD knowledge, awareness, and the provision of patient education and counselling by community pharmacists. Results 486 community pharmacists were included, with a mean age of 39.69±13.10 years, and most (n=151, 31.1%) in the age range between 20 and 29 years. 96.3% of community pharmacists never had training about ASD. 32.9% of the participants were aware of the medicines for ASD treatment, and 25.7% were aware of the drugs’ side efects. The mean overall knowledge about childhood autism among health workers questionnaire (KCAHW) score was 11.83±3.91, and there was a statistically signifcant KCAHW score diference between other pharmacists and those with ASD training (p=0.006). Conclusion There is a lack of disease and pharmacotherapy knowledge about childhood ASD among Turkish community pharmacists, particularly about communication impairment, type, onset, and comorbidities, as well as poor knowledge about drug pharmacotherapy and patient counselling services. This potentially creates a barrier to the adequate provision of healthcare to autistic patients.