Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society
Year 2020, Volume 32, Issue 4, Pages 1-6
https://doi.org/10.26715/jbms.32_2020_4_1Ammar K Janahi1, Ahmed Malalla Al Ansari1*, Haitham A Jahrami2
1College of Medicine and Medical Science Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
2Chief of Rehabilitation Services at Periphery Hospitals, Ministry of Health, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
*Corresponding author:
Ahmed Malalla Al Ansari, Professor in Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Science, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; Tel. No.: (+973) 39459043/17283342; Fax: (+973) 39686022; Email: Ahmedm.alansari@gmail.com
Received date: August 6, 2020; Accepted date: November 24, 2020; Published date: December 31, 2020
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Screen-based media are becoming a popular tool for leisure and increasing productivity. Our objective was to compare the Screen-Based Media (SBM) usage between children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their mothers, in terms of the device type and duration of daily use.
Methods: Ninety-seven (n=97) mothers of children diagnosed with ASD and attending Center A and Center B constituted the study sample (cases). The control group comprised healthy children whose SBM usage had been measured previously in a similar study using similar methodology (N=75). A special data collection sheet was designed to collect information such as demographic data, type of SBM devices used, and duration of daily usage, using a structured questionnaire.
Results: Mothers used smartphones more frequently (P=0.001) whereas children with ASD used (P=0.001) tablets (P=0.001). Both mothers and children with ASD used television at the same rate (P=0.924). Mothers’ used SBM for >5 hours per day, which was similar to the screen time of children with ASD.
Conclusion: Mothers’ SBM usage was high and was comparable to that of children with ASD. Clinical implications and future directions were discussed to modify such behaviors.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Bahrain; Children; Leisure activities; Mother