TITLE:
Knowledge and Perception of Autism among Primary School Teachers in Southern Nigeria: A Study on Awareness and Stigma by School Teachers in Calabar, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Israel Ebubechukwu Okeke, Idongesit Ayemo Ubi, Thomas Chimezie Emedoh, Ugochukwu Kanayo Ibeh, Nneoma Ndubuisi Umerah
KEYWORDS:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Primary School Teachers, Knowledge
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.16 No.4,
October
15,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is on the rise globally, but there is little awareness and sensitisation in Nigeria on its features, etiology and treatment. Primary school teachers play a vital role in early detection and treatment. However, there is little awareness and poor perception of autism among primary school teachers, thereby making early detection and treatment difficult. Aim: To determine the level of awareness and perception of autism among primary school teachers and their referral pathway in Calabar. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study carried out on 218 primary school teachers in Calabar. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit respondents. The Socio-Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire-2nd edition (ASK-Q2) were administered to the respondents. The cut-off score for ASK-Q2 was obtained using 50% classification threshold. Respondents with a total score of 50% and above were said to have good knowledge and perception of autism. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25, and the p-value was set at less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 42.67 ± 10. The male respondents were 16.5%, while the female respondents were 83.5%. A greater percentage of the respondents (62.8%) were in public schools, with 37.2% in private schools. Social media was the highest medium through which the respondents heard about autism (47.2%). Only 27.1% of the teachers have had training in autism or contact with an autistic child. Most of the respondents (83.9%) said they would refer an autistic child to the hospital. The level of awareness of autism among the respondents was 60.1%, while the level of perception was 57.3%. The predictors of knowledge of autism included age and referral pathways of the teachers. Conclusion: The study showed that more sensitisation and awareness need to be created in primary schools about autism and that primary school teachers need to undergo formal training in autism to increase their knowledge and perception of autism.