Community Attitudes Towards People with Down’s Syndrome: A Sample From Iraq

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common congenital d isorders associated with intellectual d isability and social stigma. Co mmunity attitudes and knowledge of this condition are important for inclusion of people with DS into the community and improving their quality of lives. Results from surveys from the world showed that people still hold negative attitudes towards inclusion of people with DS. Studies in the Arab world are sparse and there are no data exp loring these attitudes in Iraq in the absence of formal awareness programs; hence, this study was done to report and analyse the Iraqi co mmun ity attitudes towards people with Down syndrome. A survey questionnaire of the attitudes from a samp le fro m the co mmunity was done. Results showed that Iraqis still hold negative thoughts towards inclusion of people with DS, however they are less negative than their counterparts in Europe and United States. Female gender was the most common factor associated with positive attitudes. The results of this study underscore the importance for organized campaigns and programs to increase awareness towards DS and inclusion in the co mmunity. Further research is required to exp lore the factors underlying these attitudes.

Down syndrome: Knowledge and attitudes among future healthcare providers

“…The findings of this study highlighted positive knowledge and attitudes regarding people with DS among our sample of medical and health sciences students, on the basis of high median knowledge scores. Previous studies have investigated the awareness and attitudes of people toward individuals with DS in various settings, such as the general population and community members, 5 , 6 , 9 , 11 educators and teachers, 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 parents and caregivers, 8 , 16 , 17 and school students. 7 , 18 However, data on the awareness and knowledge of medical and health sciences students regarding people with DS are scarce.…”

“…This finding is in agreement with those from other studies reporting that female gender is a significant factor in determining knowledge and attitudes regarding people with DS. 11 , 29…”

“…A study-specific, field-tested and validated questionnaire was used to collect the responses of the students. The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions adapted from previous surveys, 5 , 8 , 9 , 11 which were intended to evaluate students' knowledge and attitudes regarding DS. The questionnaire included eight subscales: demographic data (six items), general knowledge of DS (four items), knowledge of clinical manifestations of DS (two items), risk factors for DS (three items), disorders associated with DS (five items), screening for DS (two items), treatment of DS (two items) and attitudes toward DS (ten items).…”

“…Furthermore, people have limited knowledge regarding DS and hold stereotypical attitudes toward individuals with this disorder. 8 , 9 , 10 Most studies have focused on the general population and community members, 5 , 6 , 9 , 11 or specific groups, such as educators and teachers, 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 parents and caregivers, 8 , 16 , 17 or school students. 7 , 18 However, very few studies have assessed the knowledge and attitudes of the medical and health sciences students, who will be the future health care providers, regarding DS.…”