OU led autism research project in Ethiopia funded by Autism Speaks

The OU has been awarded of $199,750 from Autism Speaks to conduct a two-year research project in Ethiopia. Led by Dr Rosa Hoekstra (Faculty of Science), a team of researchers from the OU and Ethiopia will collaborate in this initiative which intends to raise awareness around mental health issues and about autism in particular.

Beginning with a study of current levels of awareness, attitudes to mental health and service provision to adults and children with mental health problems in Ethiopia, the project will also conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of Ethiopia's community health worker (CHW) training in mental health issues. This training is based on new learning resources, written by Ethiopian health experts with support from the OU as part of the OU's HEAT (Health Education and Training) programme. Following evaluation, these learning resources will be revised and the new materials integrated into ongoing CHW training in Ethiopia.

Over 4,000 CHWs are expected to be on the programme in Ethiopia in 2012, with another 6,500 students joining during the term of the research project. Through the OU's networks with critical stakeholders such as AMREF, WHO, UNICEF, and Ministries of Health in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the materials have the potential to be disseminated and used widely.

The project is likely to have a significant impact on the lives of children with autism and raising autism awareness in one of the most underserved areas in the world, with effects continuing to last well beyond the life of the project.

The co-investigators on this project are Lesley-Anne Long (International Development Office), Dr Basiro Davey (Faculty of Science) and Drs Charlotte Hanlon, Yonas Baheretibeb and Abebaw Wassie from Addis Ababa University.

Find out more:

• Autism Speaks: details of the project
• Study with the OU SK124 'understanding the autism spectrum'
• OpenLearn: What is autism?
• OpenLearn: Dispel some myths around autism and talent
• Test your knowledge in the Autism quiz: busting the myths