Golbasi, HaticeDemirel, YeltekinKaraca, Sanem NemmeziCicek, Ayla UzunSari, Seda Aybuke2024-10-262024-10-2620212602-30322602-3040https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.904937https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/tr/yayin/detay/467350https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12418/27648Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Sivas City Center and to investigate the ASD awareness of healthcare professionals working in Family Health Centers (FHC). Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 752 children aged between 18-72 months, 90 family physicians and 78 family health personnel (FHPs). The ASD Knowledge-Attitudes Scale and the ASD Awareness Questionnaire were administered to healthcare professionals. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was applied to all of the children. Results: The mean scores of the ASD Knowledge-Attitude Scale and ASD Awareness Questionnaire of the family physicians were significantly higher than FHPs. The risk rate for ASD in screening was 6.25% (n=47), and the prevalence rate was 0.53%. Twenty of these children who were found to be at risk were evaluated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Of the 20 evaluated children, 7 were found to be normal, while 4 had a diagnosis of ASD, and 9 had other psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence rate of ASD in Sivas City Center is 0.53% and that the ASD awareness of family physicians is higher than that of FHPs. We believe that training programs to increase the awareness of healthcare professionals about ASD can contribute to the early detection of children with ASD.tr10.17826/cumj.904937info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAutism Spectrum DisorderASDprevalenceawarenessM-CHATArticle4631008998467350WOS:000695272700016N/A