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. 2022 Feb 14:28:1694.
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1694. eCollection 2022.

A population-based survey of autistic traits in Kenyan adolescents and young adults

Daniel Mamah  1 , Victoria Mutiso  2 , Isaiah Gitonga  2 , Albert Tele  2 , David M Ndetei  2
Affiliations

A population-based survey of autistic traits in Kenyan adolescents and young adults

Daniel Mamah et al. S Afr J Psychiatr. .

Abstract

Background: To date, there have been no large-scale population studies of autistic traits (AUT) conducted in Africa.

Aim: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders in a large sample of Kenyan adolescents and young adults.

Setting: Tertiary academic institutions (87%) and directly from the community (13%).

Methods: Our study surveyed 8918 youths (aged 15-25 years) using the autism spectrum quotient (AQ). Based on AQ scores, we derived groups with low (L-AUT), borderline (B-AUT), and high (H-AUT) autistic traits. Relationships of AUT with demographic factors, psychosis, affectivity and stress were investigated.

Results: Internal consistency of the AQ in the population was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.91). Across all participants, 0.63% were estimated as having H-AUT, while 14.9% had B-AUT. Amongst community youth, prevalence of H-AUT was 0.98%. Compared to those with low and borderline traits, H-AUT participants were more likely to be males, to have lower personal and parental educational attainment, and to be of a lower socioeconomic status. The H-AUT group also had higher psychotic and affective symptoms as well as higher psychosocial stress than other groups.

Conclusion: The prevalence of H-AUT amongst Kenyan youth is comparable to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rates in many countries. Autistic traits in Kenya are associated with worse social and clinical profiles. Further research on autism across Africa is needed to investigate cross-cultural heterogeneity of this disorder, and to guide healthcare policy.

Keywords: Africa; Kenya; adolescents; adults; autism; autistic; traits.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Sex differences of autistic traits in Kenya.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Prevalence of autistic trait categories in tertiary school students and community youth.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Psychosocial stressors across groups. Figure represent mean item scores on the Washington Early Recognition Center (WERC) Stress Screen in each group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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