Mothers' knowledge and home care practices for children with autism spectrum disorder in Diwaniyah, Iraq.

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses significant caregiving challenges, particularly in low-resource and culturally diverse settings. This study evaluated maternal knowledge and home care practices related to children with ASD in Diwaniyah, Iraq.

METHODS

A cross-sectional census survey was conducted in 2025 among 205 mothers of children diagnosed with ASD who were registered at autism centers in Diwaniyah. Data were collected via a validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire that assessed maternal knowledge of ASD and home care practices across nutrition, hygiene, motor skills, and safety domains. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted for all inferential tests.

RESULTS

Overall maternal knowledge of ASD was moderate. Higher knowledge was significantly associated with maternal education (p < 0.001), urban residence (p = 0.009), family size (p = 0.029), monthly income (p = 0.041), and consanguinity (p = 0.017). Home care practices were generally adequate in nutrition, personal hygiene, and motor skill development; however, safety practices were markedly insufficient. Awareness of ASD-related safety risks was also low. A significant positive association was observed between maternal knowledge and home care practices across all domains (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Mothers in Diwaniyah demonstrate moderate knowledge and active caregiving in most domains, yet there is insufficient focus on child safety at home. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally tailored educational programs that emphasize home safety, expand access to autism services, and integrate genetic counseling to improve care for children with ASD in resource-limited settings.