• Nimet Emel Luleci, Seyhan Hidiroglu, Melda Karavus, Suzan Celik, Dicle Cetiner, Emre Koc, Tevhid Gazi Kasikci, Yagmur Hazal Sadirvan, Ahmet Karavus, and Ahmet Topuzoglu.
• Department of Public Health, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
• J Pak Med Assoc. 2016 Aug 1; 66 (8): 916-21.

ObjectiveTo assess the level of awareness about childhood autism among first-grade nursing and medical students.MethodsThe descriptive study was conducted at Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey, in December 2012, and comprised first-grade nursing and medical students. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Association between categorical variables was determined and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOf the 175 students, 138(78.9%) were aware of autism, 14(8%) of them being highly aware and 124(70.9%) moderately aware, whereas 37(21.1%) were not aware. There was a significant difference in the awareness level as far as gender was concerned as 102(82.9%) females and 36(69.2%) males were aware (p=0.043). Moreover, 104(59.4%) participants were aware that autism was a neurodevelopmental disorder, 62(67.4%) of them being nursing and 42(50.6%) being medical students (p<0.05).ConclusionsFirst-grade medical and nursing students could be considered relatively well aware of autism as their awareness level was in between that of the general public and healthcare professionals.

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