ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND : Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in social communication and behavior. In Nigeria, the prevalence of ASD remains underreported due to delayed diagnosis and limited awareness among caregivers. Children with ASD in the country often receive a diagnosis at around seven years old, largely because of low health-seeking behavior and societal stigma.This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and care-seeking behaviours on childhood autism among caregivers of children with ASD in Benin City, with the aim to identify gaps in understanding and the factors that influence caregiver behaviors. It further explores the effects of these factors on early intervention and access to services. The findings from this research will help develop targeted approaches to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve support for children with ASD and their families. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 500 caregivers of children under 18 years of age in Benin city who were selected using stratified sampling technique. Data were collected via structured self-administered questionnaires and IBM SPSS version 27.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive data were expressed as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Associations between socio-demographic data and overall knowledge of autism, and attitude towards autism were analyzed using Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results were presented in prose, tables and bar charts. RESULTS :The mean age of the respondents was 39.50 ± 11.23 years. The majority 329 (65.8%) were female, and most identified as Benin 201 (40.2%). A significant portion 399 (79.8%) were married, with Christianity being the predominant religion 481 (96.2%). Most caregivers 417 (83.4%) had tertiary education and 442 (88.4%) were employed. Knowledge assessment revealed that 144 (28.8%) of caregivers displayed good knowledge of childhood autism while 336 (72.4%) held positive attitudes towards childhood autism, with female caregivers showing higher positive attitudes 231 (84.0%) compared to males 105 (70.5%). A significant association was observed between knowledge and attitudes (OR = 2.479, p < 0.001). Among 227 caregivers surveyed regarding their care-seeking behaviors, only 84 (37.0%) reported seeking help, with the majority 52 (61.9%) preferring government hospitals. The primary factor influencing the decision to seek care included concerns about their child's development 52 (61.9%). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that more than one third of the caregivers had poor knowledge, with factors like lack of education, marital status, and age playing a significant role. The study also revealed that majority had positive attitude towards autism this study highlights significant gaps in caregivers' knowledge and attitudes toward autism, with important implications for care-seeking behaviors. Addressing these challenges through targeted public health interventions and community education is essential to improve the early detection and management of childhood autism in Benin city. KEYWORDS: Knowledge; Attitude; Careseeking behavior; Caregivers; Autism ; Challenges
