Knowledge, attitude and management of hearing screening in children among family physicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Universal newborn hearing screening program in Saudi Arabia: Current insight

Newborn hearing screening (NHS) programs are essential to identify hearing loss early in life and to improve outcomes in children. In Saudi Arabia, the national NHS program has been operational since 2016; however, few studies have evaluated its status, and none have covered all provinces across the country. This cross-sectional retrospective study provides an overview of the program's status across all provinces, focusing on screening coverage rates, referral/fail rates, and follow-up procedures. In 2021, 199,034 newborns were screened, with a coverage rate of 92.6% and an overall referral/fail rate of 1.87%. These performance measures provide a foundation for future progress and improvements. This study highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance the program's effectiveness and sustainability.

Knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding childhood hearing loss in Malaysia

BACKGROUND

Childhood hearing loss is a significant health concern. Early identification and intervention are essential to maximize hearing potential and developmental outcomes, with primary care physicians (PCPs) playing a pivotal role in this process.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess PCPs' knowledge and attitudes toward childhood hearing loss, investigate the association between knowledge and attitudes, and examine the influence of demographic factors on PCPs' knowledge and attitudes towards childhood hearing loss.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from 30 November 2017 to 30 July 2018 at three public health clinics in Malaysia, specifically in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Terengganu. A self-administered questionnaire assessed PCPs' knowledge of general facts, diagnosis and intervention, and risk factors for childhood hearing loss. Additionally, the questionnaire evaluated PCPS' attitudes across cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains regarding childhood hearing loss.

RESULTS

Most participants lacked sufficient knowledge about childhood hearing loss, with 61.4% not seeing it as a major health issue. Almost half (45.9%) didn't know that children with hearing loss can succeed in regular schools, and 78% were unaware that hearing aids don't fully restore normal hearing. Participants' awareness of risk factors varied widely, ranging from 24.6% to 90.3%. Despite these knowledge gaps, participants generally had positive attitudes towards childhood hearing loss, especially in cognitive and behavioural aspects. The study found a strong positive link between knowledge and attitudes, but demographic factors didn't significantly affect them.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the urgent need to address knowledge gaps among Malaysian PCPs regarding childhood hearing loss. While these knowledge gaps exist, PCPs' positive attitudes form a foundation for developing targeted educational interventions to improve PCPs' knowledge and skills in managing childhood hearing loss. Collaborative efforts are essential to translate these findings into meaningful improvements in paediatric audiological care.