PhD Student

Course Start: 16^th October 2016
Supervisor: Dr Chris Papadopoulos
Second Supervisor: Prof Yannis Pappas

Thesis Title

Public attitudes towards autism in Nigeria: The role of awareness, knowledge, and other theoretical drivers of autism stigma

Background

Autistic individuals are reported worldwide to experience different attitudes shown by the public. These attitudes can either encourage or discourage autistic individuals from seeking the required help. Public attitudes towards autistic individuals can be stigmatising, labelling, discriminating and stereotypical in some cases, which can negatively impact how successful they live in a community. There are several tentative reports on the high levels of autism stigma and low levels of autism knowledge and awareness among Nigerians. This study was built on the premise that the degree at which stigma is experienced and expressed varies across different cultures. Also, according to Goffman (1963), there are unique socio-cultural drivers of stigma, and a thorough analysis of the stigma drivers in each culture is basic to combating stigma. Findings from literature proposed a range of variables (such as religion, gender, geographical location, educational status, knowledge, and awareness) influence stigma in Nigeria. Thus, this study aims to explore autism stigma within the Nigerian context, to enable a better understanding of autism stigma within this culture.

Aims

• To examine attitudes, awareness and knowledge of autism among Nigerians
• To identify theoretical explanatory drivers of autism stigma in Nigeria and create a theoretical model that explains the relationships between autism stigma and theoretical drivers.

Method

A systematic scoping review was first carried out, to review the existing empirical evidence on autism stigma in Africa, including the degree and type of autism stigma; factors associated with autism stigma. This was then followed by a pilot study, to test the data collection instrument. The final phase of this study involved a cross-sectional random sampling quantitative survey, of three hundred and twelve Nigerians living in either Lagos state (urban cluster) or Niger State (rural cluster) using a pre-existing. This phase was initiated first to examine the attitudes, awareness and knowledge levels that exist towards autism among the Nigerian public. Secondly, to examine the theoretical explanatory drivers of autism stigma in Nigeria

Research Questions

• What are the attitudes, awareness and knowledge levels that exist towards autism among the Nigerian general public?
• What are the theoretical explanatory drivers of autism stigma in Nigeria?

About Me

Adejumoke is an international PhD student from Nigeria at the University of Bedfordshire's Institute for Health Research. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Animal Physiology from the Federal University of Agricultural Abeokuta in Nigeria, in 2011. She worked as an animal physiologist at the Ministry of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Zamfara state in 2012.

In 2015 she completed her MSc public health degree from the University of Bedfordshire, where she conducted a comparative study on UK-based Nigerians and English attitudes towards individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. She was awarded the public health prize for her academic achievements.

Alongside her studies, she co-founded and concurrently runs, DAYTOPIA MENTORING PROGRAM (academic mentoring of student). A platform that fosters academic excellence by learning from academic scholars and professors on the most efficient ways to navigate academic life.

E: adejumoke.awosanya@study.beds.ac.uk
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/awosanya-adejumoke-39b10494
Researchgate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Adejumoke-Awosanya-2