Background Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) has uniquely stigmatizing aspects because children with ASD have no physical markers of their condition. Parents are usually blamed and judgment from others is often internalized (felt stigma). Aim This study was conducted to determine knowledge about ASD, negative experiences (enacted stigma), internalization of stigma (felt or self stigma) and its correlates among parents of children with ASD in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 230 parents in Lagos, Nigeria employing mixed-method data collection methods. Quantitative data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with Epi- Info™ version 7.0 statistical package. Data were summarized with proportions, mean and standard deviation. Chi square and Spearman’s correlation tests were done, and the level of significance was pre-determined at 5% (p < 0.05). In-depth interviews were also conducted among six parents to further explore the topic. The interviews were analyzed narratively. Results The proportion of mothers and fathers were 175 (76.1%) and 55 (23.9%) respectively. The mean age of respondents was 42 ± 8.5 years. Overall knowledge of ASD was very poor as only 3(1.3%) had good knowledge. Overall, 122(53%) usually had negative experience of parenting a child with ASD (enacted stigma), mothers (17.1%) more than fathers (9.1%). Majority 192(83.5%) internalized stigma. There was a low–moderate correlation between ‘enacted’ stigma and ‘internalized’ stigma (ρ- 0.400, p < 0.001). From in-depth interviews, many parents revealed that their child’s condition had negative effects on the family. Many also recounted negative experience of stigma. Conclusion Overall, parents of children with ASD had poor knowledge of the condition. Majority internalized stigma and this increases with negative treatment from others. Parents should be properly educated about ASD. Community-based education to increase awareness about ASD in addition to encouraging people to show empathy and reduce stigmatizing behaviour towards parents of children with ASD are recommended.
Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are major threats to the health of children under the age of 5 in developing countries causing discomfort, frequent healthcare visits and deaths. In Rwanda, Acute respiratory infection is the 1 st killing disease among children under the age of 5 after malaria and Anemia. Despite a significant decrease in child mortality rate, ARIs prevalence experienced a rise from 4 in 2010 to 4.4 in 2015 in Rwanda. This study aims to assess immunization, socio-economic, geographical and environmental factors associated with acute respiratory infections among children under the age of five in Rwanda and provide data for healthcare improvement.Methods and materials: This is a cross sectional study using data from Rwanda demographic health survey (RDHS) 2014-2015. A Study sample of 7558 children under 5 years whose mothers have been interviewed has been used. Using R software, descriptive statistics was performed with percentages to assess the distributions of ARIs cases per characteristics and chi square test comparing children who have or don't have ARIs. In addition, significant variables at p < 0.1 were subjected to multiple regression analysis to assess the factors associated with ARIs. QGIS software has been used to map the spatial distribution of ARI cases across the country.Results: The results show that 11.52% of children have ARIs.
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