Knowledge and Cultural Beliefs of Mothers Regarding the Risk Factors of Infant Hearing Loss and Awareness of Audiology Services

A Survey of the Knowledge and Attitudes of First-Time Pregnant Women Regarding Infant Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of first-time pregnant women regarding hearing loss in infants, and to identify the key factors that influence their perceptions.

METHODS

After validating and ensuring the reliability of a well-structured questionnaire consisting of 15 items, it was distributed to a total of 400 pregnant women who were experiencing their first pregnancies. Utilizing a cluster sampling method, participants were selected from both public hospitals and private gynecologist offices across diverse geographic regions in Tehran, Iran. Participants were asked to respond on a three-point scale (No, Not Sure, Yes). The results were analyzed using both descriptive and analytic statistics.

RESULTS

The translated questionnaire exhibited suitable face validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency. Findings revealed the highest maternal knowledge for "newborns can be born with hearing loss "(77.5%) and the lowest knowledge score was observed for "delayed birth cry can lead to hearing loss" (23.8%). Regarding attitudes, 72.5% of mothers scored above the mean of 5.65 out of 6, indicating a preference for early diagnosis and intervention. Several factors, such as education level and the mother's city of residence, showed a significant correlation with certain knowledge and attitude-related questions. Notably, individuals receiving care at public hospitals showed greater knowledge compared to those visiting private clinics.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Mothers play a crucial role in child health and need to have a thorough understanding of pediatric diseases in order to make informed decisions. One particular condition that mothers should be well-informed about is hearing loss, as it has a significant impact on language development. However, this study reveals that there are gaps in maternal knowledge when it comes to the specific causes of hearing loss.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards occupational noise among maintenance and administration workers of selected health facilities in Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality, South Africa

This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude, and practices towards Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among maintenance and administration workers in selected health facilities in the Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to select 250 participants. Maintenance workers were populated within the age range of 26-35 years, being more than administrative personnel (COR 1.59, CI 0.8-3.16). Maintenance workers showed more knowledge of noise being an unwanted sound (COR 1.04, CI 0.29-3.73), an ear infection (COR 4.65, CI 1.48-14.58) and poor hearing of speech as a sign of hearing loss (AOR 0.25, CI 0.07-0.86). Thirty-four percent (34%) of maintenance workers believed that ear screening and assessments are important while 17.9% believed not to be important. Forty-eight percent (58%) of maintenance workers suggested that they could not use hearing protectors effectively without training while 13.7% suggested training is needed.

Audiological profile of deaf and hard-of-hearing children under six years old in the "HI HOPES cohort" in South Africa (2006-2011)

BACKGROUND

This study concerns deaf children under six years in the South African HI HOPES Cohort.

OBJECTIVE

To examine their audiological profile, aetiological risk factors for infant hearing loss as well as the relationship between identification, amplification and socio-economic influences.

DESIGN

Using a cohort design, secondary data analysis of a pre-existing dataset demonstrated adequate representation of South African demographic characteristics.

STUDY SAMPLE

A total of 532 deaf and hard-of-hearing infants enrolled in the HI HOPES early intervention programme in three provinces (2006-2011).

RESULTS

The median age of identification of children with bilateral hearing loss (n = 502) was 24.0 months (IQR = 12-36 months). Infants with aetiological risk factors were identified later than those without risk factors, and the latest age of identification (28.5 months) was for those with three aetiological risk factors (n = 42). The median age of amplification was 32 months with 102 children eligible for amplification at 31.1 months still unamplified. Early identification did not imply early amplification, and the more economically advantaged a Province the smaller the gap between ages of identification and amplification.

CONCLUSIONS

In a field with little population-level evidence, the size, and representativeness of this dataset makes a significant contribution to our understanding of infant hearing loss in South Africa.

Patient’s perceptions of presbycusis and associated tinnitus counselling practices within the KwaZulu-Natal province

Background

Counselling manages the psychosocial effects of presbycusis and associated tinnitus, which is best conducted through patient-centred care (PCC). However, there is a paucity of research on implementing PCC within audiology and on patients’ perceptions of counselling practice, making the focus on patient benefit and satisfaction crucial. Furthermore, PCC has been documented to be suitable in addressing the psychosocial effects of hearing loss and associated tinnitus, as it focuses on the adult patient playing an integral part of the management processes, providing improved patient outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore patients’ perceptions of presbycusis and associated tinnitus counselling practices by audiologists within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Method

Qualitative phenomenological semi-structured telephonic interviews were conducted through purposive sampling, consisting of seven patients with presbycusis and associated tinnitus who were recruited from private and public facilities in KZN. Data were analysed through hybrid thematic analysis following Braun and Clark’s steps.

Results

Six categories were identified: perceptions on counselling methods, efficacy and tools, audiological rehabilitative training, multicultural sensitivity, patient satisfaction and recommendations on improving counselling practices as PCC adaptation. Themes were then extracted from these categories. The overall outcome of the study found that patients had positive perceptions of methods and tools, and audiologists were viewed as adequately trained. Furthermore, they were satisfied and benefitted from counselling practices and found clinicians to be culturally sensitive in their practice. However, recommendations were made towards linguistic sensitivity and satisfaction evaluations.

Conclusion

Therefore, implementing PCC into counselling practice may achieve positive patient perceptions, thus highlighting the need to identify barriers and improve the implementation of PCC into practice, especially in resource-constrained contexts.

Maternal knowledge on infant hearing loss and acceptability of hearing aids as an intervention at a Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda

OBJECTIVE

Infant hearing screening enables early detection and management of hearing loss (HL) so that speech and language development delays are minimized. Parents play a critical role in successful screening and management of Infant Hearing loss (IHL) but there is limited data from resource limited settings on parental knowledge about HL and acceptability of IHL interventions. This study was aimed at exploring the maternal knowledge on the various causes of IHL and their acceptability of hearing aids as an intervention for IHL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a referral hospital in southwestern Uganda. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview postpartum mothers to assess their knowledge on causes of IHL and acceptability of a hearing aid if prescribed. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) for the factors associated with hearing aid refusal.

RESULTS

401 mothers with a mean age of 25 years (Standard Deviation = 5.6 years) were recruited. Half of the mothers correctly identified at least five causes of IHL. The most well-known causes were measles (63.3%) and a positive family history of HL (61.6%). 60% of mothers held at least one superstitious belief as a cause of IHL. Majority of mothers (86%) would accept a hearing aid as an IHL intervention. Mothers with a positive family history of HL (OR = 0.42, p = 0.04), in middle or higher socioeconomic class (OR = 0.45, p = 0.01) and those with more than 3 antenatal visits in their recent pregnancy (OR = 0.44, p = 0.01) were less likely to refuse a hearing aid while mothers that were either widowed or separated from their spouses (OR = 15.64, p = 0.01) were more likely to refuse a hearing aid.

CONCLUSION

Although mothers had limited knowledge on some causes of IHL, there was a high acceptability of hearing aids as an intervention for IHL. Marital status, family history of hearing loss, socioeconomic status and antenatal care attendance are factors that could be used to identify mothers that might accept or refuse a hearing aid for their infant. There is need to increase awareness about causes of hearing loss to improve knowledge as well as dispel any non-biological beliefs held by communities.

Maternal knowledge and views regarding early hearing detection and intervention in children aged 0-5 years at a semi-urban primary care clinic in South Africa

BACKGROUND

South Africans have an increasing burden of hearing loss, especially in low-income rural areas. Limited information is available regarding caregivers' knowledge and views regarding infant hearing loss, which is essential for the successful implementation of early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programmes.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the study was to describe the knowledge and views of mothers with children aged between 0 and 5 years old regarding hearing screening, risk factors, symptoms of hearing loss, and intervention options for hearing loss.

METHOD

A survey was employed at a primary care clinic to gain insight into the maternal views on hearing loss and early intervention services for children aged 0-5 years old.

RESULTS

The majority (83.2%) of the mothers believed that hearing can be tested at birth, 90.7% believed in the biomedical model of intervention which is based on cure, prevention, and pathology as opposed to traditional or alternative medicinal beliefs, and 95.3% indicated that they would seek medical attention if they noticed symptoms of hearing loss. Consequences of hearing loss, such as academic, communication and social problems, were indicated by 65.4% of mothers.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated that although cultural beliefs regarding superstitious causes of hearing loss and use of traditional medicine exist, satisfactory maternal knowledge regarding detection and intervention for hearing loss is present. Maternal views are favourable and a general willingness to participate in EHDI programmes was present. This study advocates for the implementation of EHDI programmes at all primary healthcare clinics across South Africa.

Knowledge and attitude on childhood hearing loss among mothers and mothers-to-be in urban and rural areas in Malaysia

OBJECTIVES

Maternal knowledge and attitude towards childhood hearing loss play an important role in determining the success of early diagnosis and intervention of hearing loss programs in children. This study aimed to 1) assess the knowledge and attitude of childhood hearing loss among mothers, 2) compare knowledge and attitude of childhood hearing loss in urban and rural mothers, 3) investigate the relationship between knowledge and attitude on childhood hearing loss, and 4) identify socio-demographic factors that influence mothers' knowledge and attitude on childhood hearing loss.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 362 mothers and mothers-to-be (mean age: 31.9 ± 4.9 years, range: 20-48 years old) recruited from Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur and two health clinics in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan and Beranang, Selangor representing the urban and rural areas respectively. All participants were interviewed in person using a newly developed and reliable questionnaire that tested their knowledge and attitude on childhood hearing loss.

RESULTS

Generally, the majority of mothers had a moderate level of knowledge and positive attitude towards childhood hearing loss. Urban mothers had a significantly higher knowledge than those of the rural area (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in attitude toward childhood hearing loss between urban and rural mothers. In addition, there was no significant relationship found between knowledge and attitude on childhood hearing loss among mothers. Age, race, occupation and education level contributed to the knowledge score significantly (p < 0.05), whereas, only race was significantly associated with attitude.

CONCLUSION

In spite of positive attitude towards childhood hearing loss, the majority of mothers and mothers-to-be demonstrated poor knowledge on this aspect. Therefore, this study highlights the urgent need to develop and implement appropriate health education campaigns to improve mothers' knowledge of childhood hearing loss.