Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42581501›Full record

ArticleBrain and behavior2026

Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Years Lived With Disability in Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa, From 1990 to 2023.

Sebsibe Tadesse, Boko Loka Safayi, Abdulbasit Sherfa, Musa Jemal, Begetayinoral Kussia Lahole, Melese Chego Cheme, Sewhareg Belay, Asqual Gebreslassie Gebremariam, Gemechis Tuke, Abinet Zewudie and 2 more

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Article in Brain and behavior, 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

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Sebsibe TadesseSchool of Public Health, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.
Boko Loka SafayiDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health nursing, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.
Abdulbasit SherfaDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Werabe University, Werabe, Ethiopia.
Musa JemalDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Werabe University, Werabe, Ethiopia.
Begetayinoral Kussia LaholeDepartment of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Melese Chego ChemeSchool of Public health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Wollega, Ethiopia.
Sewhareg BelayCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Asqual Gebreslassie GebremariamFaculty of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Gemechis TukeSchool of Public Health, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.
Abinet ZewudieDepartment of psychiatry, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.
Gelgelo WodessaSchool of Public Health, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.
Geleta Nenko DubeSchool of Public Health, Institute of Health, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAutism spectrum disorders are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions affecting social interaction, communication, and behavior. Despite rising global burden, data from Eastern Sub-Saharan African region are limited. This study estimated the prevalence of ASD and the years lived with disability in the region from 1990 to 2023.

methodsWe analyzed input data from the Global Burden of Diseases 2023 study for the ESSA countries. Prevalence and years lived with disability were estimated using disease modeling with Bayesian meta-regression and spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression. Age-standardized rates were calculated, and 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated. Trends were assessed for statistical significance based on UIs.

resultsIn 2023, an estimated 4.24 million individuals (95% UI: 2.02, 8.80) were living with ASD in the ESSA region, with an age-standardized prevalence of 814 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 405, 1481). Autism spectrum disorders contributed 0.8 million YLDs (95% UI: 0.3, 1.9), and the age-standardized YLDs rate was 154 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 70, 333). Prevalence and YLDs showed no significant sex or location differences and remained nearly unchanged from 1990 to 2023.

conclusionThe study indicated that ASD is a significant and persistent health burden in the ESSA region, affecting young children and adolescents disproportionately. There is an urgent need for early detection of cases, strengthening collaborative initiatives, and implementing culturally sensitive, community-based interventions to support individuals with ASD and their caregivers. Moreover, improved surveillance and standardized diagnostic practices are important to guide policy and resource allocation.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderPersons with DisabilitiesAfrica South of the SaharaChildFemaleGlobal Burden of DiseaseHumansMalePrevalenceSub-Saharan African Peopleautism spectrum disordersEastern Sub‐Saharan AfricaGlobal Burden of Diseases studyprevalenceYLDs

Identifiers

PMID42581501
PMCPMC13462307

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