Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42298471›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community pharmacists regarding the care of children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates.

Zelal Kharaba, Karem H Alzoubi, Shoroq M Altawalbeh, Amira S A Said, Azza Ramadan, Hisham E Hasan, Ahmad Al-Azayzih, Feras Jirjees, Anan Jarab, Rahaf Ali and 4 more

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Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Zelal KharabaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. zkharaba@sharjah.ac.ae.
Karem H AlzoubiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Shoroq M AltawalbehDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Amira S A SaidCollege of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Azza RamadanCollege of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Hisham E HasanDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Ahmad Al-AzayzihDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Feras JirjeesDepartment of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Anan JarabDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Rahaf AliMedical Affairs Department, Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf FZE, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Yassen AlfoteihCollege of Dentistry, City University Ajman, Ajman, 18484, UAE.
Sawsan AbuhammadDepartment of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Suhaib MuflihDept. of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Nermin EissaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, P.O. Box 59911, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. nermin.eissa@adu.ac.ae.

Funding

Abu Dhabi University's Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. 19300989
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires multidisciplinary management, yet pharmacists' readiness to support affected families remains underexplored. This study assessed the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) toward ASD care.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 322 licensed community pharmacists across the UAE. The questionnaire evaluated familiarity, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD, and logistic regression identified predictors of higher knowledge.

resultsPharmacists demonstrated moderate knowledge (mean score 8.7/15). While most recognized ASD as a developmental disorder (96.2%) with genetic origins (96.8%), misconceptions persisted. Self-reported practice readiness varied; while 63.7% were comfortable dispensing ASD medications, only 49.9% felt confident counseling parents. Higher knowledge was significantly associated with a PharmD qualification (OR = 3.1, p < 0.05), 6-10 years' experience (OR = 2.1, p = 0.049), and prior ASD coursework (OR = 3.9, p < 0.001).

conclusionsWhile pharmacists demonstrate awareness of ASD, important gaps in clinical practice readiness and persistent misconceptions remain. Enhancing ASD-focused education and continuous professional training is essential to empower pharmacists as effective clinical monitors, supporting families and improving public health outcomes.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelAutism Spectrum DisorderHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePharmacistsAdultChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited Arab EmiratesAttitudesAutism spectrum disorderKnowledgePharmacistsUnited Arab Emirates

Identifiers

PMID42298471
PMCPMC13501715

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.