Community Attitudes Towards People with Down’s Syndrome: A Sample from Iraq

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common congenital disorders associated with intellectual disability and social stigma. Community attitudes and knowledge of this condition are important for inclusion of people with DS into the community and improving their quality of lives. Results from surveys from the world showed that people still hold negative attitudes towards inclusion of people with DS. Studies in the Arab world are sparse and there are no data exploring these attitudes in Iraq in the absence of formal awareness programs; hence, this study was done to report and analyse the Iraqi community attitudes towards people with Down syndrome. A survey questionnaire of the attitudes from a sample from the community was done. Results showed that Iraqis still hold negative thoughts towards inclusion of people with DS, however they are less negative than their counterparts in Europe and United States. Female gender was the most common factor associated with positive attitudes. The results of this study underscore the importance for organized campaigns and programs to increase awareness towards DS and inclusion in the community. Further research is required to explore the factors underlying these attitudes.