Journal Article

Autism Spectrum Disorders in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Literature and Opinion on Future Research and Social Policy Directions

Taiwo, Olufemi G, Bakare, Muideen O, Bello-Mojeed, Mashudat A, Munir, Kerim M

2019

Overview

Research about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in sub-Saharan Africa is sparse and limited. However, research studies coming from Nigeria in West Africa as a country have contributed significantly to the subject of ASD in sub-Saharan Africa. This study is a scoping review of research literature on ASD in Nigeria through June 2017 conducted by searching the key terms autism and Nigeria on PubMed and Google Scholar. Included in the review are works concerning case reports and co-morbidities associated with ASD in Nigeria; prevalence of ASD; genetic study of ASD; clinical characteristics of children with ASD; knowledge and awareness about ASD; socio-cultural factors affecting ASD. Expert opinion on social policy and public health issues affecting ASD in Nigeria are discussed. Wide research and intervention gaps are noted and we suggest directions for future research, social policy development, and intervention services for individuals with ASD in Nigeria.

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Subject: Albinism / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder - epidemiology / Autistic children / Biomedical Research - trends / Case reports / Children & youth / Cultural factors / Development policy / Disorders / Empowerment / Forecasting / Genetic criticism / Genetics / Hospitals / Humans / Intellectual disabilities / Intervention / Knowledge / Literature reviews / Minority & ethnic groups / Nigeria - epidemiology / Policy making / Psychiatry / Public health / Public Policy / Scientific papers / Search engines / Social development / Social policy / Sociocultural factors / Systematic review / Teenagers