We provide a systematic review of epidemiological surveys of autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) worldwide. A secondary aim was to consider the possible impact of geographic, cultural/ethnic, and socioeconomic factors on prevalence estimates and on clinical presentation of PDD. Based on the evidence reviewed, the median of prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders was 62/10 000. While existing estimates are variable, the evidence reviewed does not support differences in PDD prevalence by geographic region nor of a strong impact of ethnic/cultural or socioeconomic factors. However, power to detect such effects is seriously limited in existing data sets, particularly in low-income countries. While it is clear that prevalence estimates have increased over time and these vary in different neighboring and distant regions, these findings most likely represent broadening of the diagnostic concets, diagnostic switching from other developmental disabilities to PDD, service availability, and awareness of autistic spectrum disorders in both the lay and professional public. The lack of evidence from the majority of the world's population suggests a critical need for further research and capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. Autism Res 2012, 5: 160–179. © 2012 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Global Prevalence of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders

This article reviews current evidence for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening based on peer-reviewed articles published to December 2013. Screening provides a standardized process to ensure that children are systematically monitored for early signs of ASD to promote earlier diagnosis. The current review indicates that screening in children aged 18 to 24 months can assist in early detection, consistent with current American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations. We identify ASD-specific and broadband screening tools that have been evaluated in large community samples which show particular promise in terms of accurate classification and clinical utility. We also suggest strategies to help overcome challenges to implementing ASD screening in community practice, as well as priorities for future research.

Early Screening of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendations for Practice and Research

Understanding Other Minds: Perspectives from Autism

edited by SIMON BARON-COHEN, HELEN TAGER-FLUSBERG, and DONALD J. COHEN, 515 pp., ill., Oxford, UK, Oxford University Press, 1993. $75.00

Why might a neurologist want to read a book with 22 chapters devoted to the narrow subject of whether a fundamental deficit in autism is the inability to "read" other people's minds? Clearly this is not a book about "blood and guts" neurology. In …

Understanding Other Minds: Perspectives From Autism

Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in Oman is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of ASD among 0-14 year old children. Diagnoses were made as per DSM-IV-TR criteria and supplemented with information collected with the standard Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) questionnaire. A total 113 cases of ASD were enumerated nationwide, indicating an overall prevalence of 1.4 (95% CI 1.2, 1.7) cases per 10,000 children aged 0-14 years. More prevalent cases were among boys (75%) and among low-income families. Ritualistic interests were more common among girls as an onset-symptom compared to boys (p = 0.03). The reported low prevalence of ASD in Oman is likely due to under-diagnosis and under-reporting.

Brief Report: Prevalence of Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the Sultanate of Oman

The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders as well as emerging evidence of the efficacy of early intervention has focused attention on the need for early identification of young children suspected of having an ASSD. Several studies have suggested that while parents report concerns early in development, it may be months before children can be evaluated and services provided, and these delays may be even more marked in under-served populations. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended universal screening for autism spectrum disorders at the 18- and 24-month well-child pediatric visit. The authors review several early screening tools currently in use and offer recommendations for integrating autism specific screening into primary care practice.

Screening Young Children for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Primary Practice

There has been a decline in the mortality rate among infants and children under five years of age in the last decade in many developing countries. This has led to a shift in focus to look beyond su...

Use of M-CHAT for a multinational screening of young children with autism in the Arab countries.

When health experts declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic, they recognized the virus as a major environmental factor that could affect the practice of breastfeeding. A few studies focused on the effect of COVID-19 on mothers who gave birth during the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of Saudi Arabian breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a descriptive phenomenology qualitative design and a convenience sample of 18 mothers who breastfed their children beginning in March 2020. Data were collected through semi-structured, open-ended phone interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The mothers were between 27 and 36 years old, and most of them had previous breastfeeding experience. Four main themes emerged regarding breastfeeding experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: breastfeeding experience (positive and negative), support, facilitators, and challenges. Most mothers felt their experience with breastfeeding during the pandemic encouraged them to continue. It is important to reassure and educate breastfeeding mothers about the nature of COVID-19 and its mode of transmission. The findings from this study lay the foundation for future research to support the practice of breastfeeding and overcome the challenges that arose during the pandemic.

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Breastfeeding Experience among Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background Breastfeeding is an essential source of nutrition for infants and offers numerous benefits for both the mother and child. Despite the consensus on its advantages, limited research in Saudi Arabia has explored the factors influencing breastfeeding duration. Objective This study aimed to examine the relationships between breastfeeding self-efficacy, intention, social support, and breastfeeding duration. Methods The study employed a correlational research design, and data were collected from three armed forces hospitals in Taif, Saudi Arabia, from December 2020 to February 2021. The samples comprised 356 conveniently selected breastfeeding mothers, assessed using the Breastfeeding Personal Efficacy Beliefs Inventory, Modified Infant Feeding Intention Scale, and Exclusive Breastfeeding Social Support Scale. Simple linear regressions were conducted for data analysis. Results Breastfeeding duration was divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of mothers still breastfeeding at the time of data collection, while Group 2 comprised those who had discontinued breastfeeding. Of the total samples, 51.6% (n = 184) of mothers were classified under Group 1, while the remaining 48.4% (n = 172) were allocated to Group 2. Specifically, 78.3% of mothers had stopped breastfeeding by the time their infants were six months old, and 93.3% intended to introduce formula feeding at three months. In Group 1, the results revealed that self-efficacy (β = 0.625, p <0.001), intention (β = 0.643, p <0.001), and social support (β = 0.612, p <0.001) were positively associated with breastfeeding duration. Similarly, in Group 2, a strong positive correlation was observed between self-efficacy (β = 0.72, p <0.001), intention (β = 0.73, p <0.001), social support (β = 0.699, p <0.001), and breastfeeding duration. These three factors jointly explained 40% of the variance in breastfeeding duration in Group 1 (adjusted R2 = 0.4) and 50% in Group 2 (adjusted R2 = 0.5). Conclusion Breastfeeding intention was found to have a more significant impact on breastfeeding duration than self-efficacy and social support. These results can inform nurses and midwives in supporting breastfeeding mothers by providing them with the necessary information and increasing their awareness of breastfeeding-related factors.

A correlational study of breastfeeding duration among Saudi mothers: The role of self-efficacy, intention, and social support

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted rules and laws such as lockdown, which contributed to staying at home and participating in sedentary activities such as using smartphones, tablets, televisions, gaming devices, and computers. As a result of the increased use of digital screen time, a worldwide issue has arisen among various age groups, especially adolescents, which may have affected their psychological well-being, increasing their susceptibility to anxiety-related disorders.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between screen time exposure and the presence of anxiety-related disorders among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design using convenience sampling was used in this study. The online self-administered questionnaire, including the Arabic-translated version of the Screen for Child Anxiety-related Disorders (SCARED-C), was distributed through social media using Google forms between February and April 2021. The Chi-Squared test was used for data analysis.
Results: Of 625 participants, majority were females (n = 527, 84.3%) than males (n = 98, 15.7%). A significant difference between screen time and the presence of an anxiety-related disorder among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = .021) was noted. More than half of the participants (n = 410, 65.6%) scored above 25 in the SCARED-C test, indicating the presence of an anxiety-related disorder regardless of the type. Of those, more than a quarter (n = 176, 28.2%) used screens for more than 8 hours a day.
Conclusion: The results indicated a relationship between screen time exposure and the presence of anxiety-related disorders among adolescents during the pandemic. In particular, adolescents are more susceptible to the adverse effects of increased exposure to screen time, which is constantly on the rise. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare professionals can play a significant role in providing guidance and advice to parents, caregivers, and adolescents themselves on how to limit screen time exposure. The findings can also be useful for future studies to build on and develop screen time management interventions and guidelines.

The relationship between screen time exposure and the presence of anxiety-related disorders among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study


Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives of many people have been affected, and their lifestyles changed, including their eating habits and levels of physical activity.


Objective: This study aimed to assess lifestyle changes among Saudi women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Methods: The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. Participants were recruited via social media (WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook), and the data were collected in March 2021 through Godin–Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity questionnaire and eating habits questionnaire. Chi-square and t-tests were used for data analysis.


Results: The number of participants included in the analysis was 979. The results of the study showed no statistically significant difference in the BMI (t = 1.29, p = 0.15) or physical activity (t = 1.49, p = 0.135) when comparing the time before and during the pandemic. However, there were changes in their eating habits, including changes in the relative frequency of eating home-cooked meals and ordering from restaurants. Ordering restaurant meals per week decreased from 78.2% before COVID-19 to 47.5% during the pandemic. Moreover, there was a marked increase in anxiety reported about food hygiene from outside sources, from 14.7% before COVID-19 to 63% during the pandemic. Regarding physical activity, 41.7% said the pandemic had moderately affected their physical activity. The home was the most common setting for exercise both before and during the pandemic, but the percentage of participants exercising exclusively at home was almost doubled during the pandemic, from 46% before the pandemic to 81% during the pandemic

Conclusion: Dietary habits have changed in a good way during the pandemic; participants increased their consumption of home-cooked meals rather than eating restaurant meals.  Also, the participants were more anxious about food hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hanan Badr

Papers

Use of M-CHAT for a multinational screening of young children with autism in the Arab countries.

Breastfeeding Experience among Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A correlational study of breastfeeding duration among Saudi mothers: The role of self-efficacy, intention, and social support

The relationship between screen time exposure and the presence of anxiety-related disorders among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Eating habits and physical activity of Saudi women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic