Is the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Increasing in Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq? An Examination of Prevalence from 2015 to 2021

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become much more common among the new generations, which supports the idea that there is an autism epidemic. Systematic ASD monitoring makes it possible to estimate the number of people with ASD and find likely sources of change over time and in different places. There are global estimates of the number of people with ASD. These estimates come from monitoring systems that use current health and university records or population studies that have been done just for that purpose.

Aim of study : The purpose of this research is to evaluate the prevalence of ASD among children in the governorate of Thi-Qar from the years 2015 through 2021.

Methodology: The Autism Center's Statistical Unit's data were reviewed to collect a non-probabilistic convenience sample (N = 1160).

Results: Autism was most prevalent among children age from 7 to 9 years comprised the majority of center visitors, comprising 453 individuals out of the total study population. Male children were more afflicted than female children, with an estimated prevalence rate of 77.33 percent. While children living in the city have a higher frequency of autism than those living in rural areas, approximately 60.26 percent of urban children have autism. At a prevalence rate of 33.62 percent, the first child in the sequence was the most prevalently affected.

Conclusion: This study was carried out in Thi-Qar Governorate, specifically at the sole autistic center in the region. Among all the age groups, the age range of 7-9 had the highest number, with a total of 1160. The majority of the sample consisted of male individuals, with a significant proportion residing in urban areas. The initial offspring experienced the greatest impact from this condition. Enrollment at autistic centers increased dramatically from 2015 to 2019, but in 2020 and 2021, fewer people visited.