In Bangladesh, like so many other developing countries neuro-developmental disabilities including autism are treat with lot of misconceptions. There is no scientific evidence yet been discovered for the treatment of autism. It would be difficult to formulate and implement evidence based public health policies that are culturally appropriate and economically feasible due to lack of data about the prevalence of Autism in Bangladesh.
This proposed nationwide survey on autism can measure the extend of a known situation about the prevalence of autism in Bangladesh. The proposed survey will be a cross-sectional study. To obtain the national prevalence of Autistic children of age 16 to 30 months in Bangladesh, the survey will be conducted in rural and urban areas of sample districts. Randomly selected 30 districts (rural and urban areas proportionately) of Bangladesh. The survey will be conducted in eighty five (85) PSU/EAs from each of 30 districts. From preparing stage of the survey up to produce the survey Report, a minimum of eight months, from January to September 2017 will be required. Field data collection will be held from 15 March to 30 April 2017.
It can also create the baseline data (reference value) for use in future research and will help to be measured the effectiveness of the activities of health education and other interventions. The aim of this survey is to help the different stakeholders of the Govt. of Bangladesh and other national and international organizations working in this field for policy making, program planning and interventions.
It is very important to take appropriate planning and immediate actions to change the livelihood of millions of affected children including autism. For this planning it would be necessary to know the present prevalence of autism in Bangladesh and their socio-economic and demographic background.
Prof. Dr. Shaheen Akhter, Ministry of Science & Technology Grants
Dr. Jannatara Shefa, Research Medical Officer, IPNA
Md.Ubydullah Pathan, Child Development Therapist, IPNA
Dr. Abul Khayer, MD, Neonatology
April 2017-Sep 2018
Dr. Alpona Jahan, FCPS, Neonatology
June 2018 May 2019
Dr. Humayra Akter, MD, Neonatology
Dec 2018-Sep 2019
Dr. Anika Tasnim, MPH, Department of Public Health, BSMMU
Dr. Farhana Khan , MPH, Department of Pharmachology, BSMMU
Dr. Mosammat Ivylata Khanam, MPH, Department of Public Health, BSMMU