Annette Kaspar1, Obiga Newton2, Joseph Kei3, Carlie Driscoll3, De Wet Swanepoel4, Helen Goulios5. 1. Hearing Research Unit for Children, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia; ENT Clinic, National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands. Electronic address: annette.kaspar@gmail.com. 2. ENT Clinic, National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands. 3. Hearing Research Unit for Children, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia. 4. Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. 5. School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: An understanding of parental knowledge and attitudes towards childhood hearing loss is essential to the successful implementation of audiology services. The present study aimed to investigate parental knowledge and attitudes among parents in the Solomon Islands. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 100 mothers and 50 fathers were administered a questionnaire via semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Highest parental awareness of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was noted for otitis media (94%), noise exposure (87.3%), and family history (72.7%). The highest parental awareness concerning public health initiatives to reduce/prevent otitis media was noted for routine childhood immunizations (84%) and breast-feeding (76%). Higher rates of knowledge in fathers than in mothers included otitis media (p = 0.038), noise exposure (p = 0.007), and breast-feeding (p = 0.031). Approximately half of parents (56%) agreed that curses may cause hearing loss. Overall parental responses showed positive support for infant hearing screening programs (96%) and school-based ear and hearing health examinations (99.3%). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of parental readiness and support for childhood hearing services in the Solomon Islands was evident. Knowledge of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was highest for otitis media, noise exposure, and family history. Knowledge and attitudes of fathers to childhood hearing loss and hearing services was either the same or better than that of mothers.
OBJECTIVE: An understanding of parental knowledge and attitudes towards childhood hearing loss is essential to the successful implementation of audiology services. The present study aimed to investigate parental knowledge and attitudes among parents in the Solomon Islands. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 100 mothers and 50 fathers were administered a questionnaire via semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Highest parental awareness of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was noted for otitis media (94%), noise exposure (87.3%), and family history (72.7%). The highest parental awareness concerning public health initiatives to reduce/prevent otitis media was noted for routine childhood immunizations (84%) and breast-feeding (76%). Higher rates of knowledge in fathers than in mothers included otitis media (p = 0.038), noise exposure (p = 0.007), and breast-feeding (p = 0.031). Approximately half of parents (56%) agreed that curses may cause hearing loss. Overall parental responses showed positive support for infant hearing screening programs (96%) and school-based ear and hearing health examinations (99.3%). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of parental readiness and support for childhood hearing services in the Solomon Islands was evident. Knowledge of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was highest for otitis media, noise exposure, and family history. Knowledge and attitudes of fathers to childhood hearing loss and hearing services was either the same or better than that of mothers.
Authors: Ali Mohammed Alsudays; Abdulmajeed Abdullah Alharbi; Faris Saleh Althunayyan; Abdulrahman Abdullah Alsudays; Sultan Mohammed Alanazy; Osama Al-Wutay; Mazyad Marji Alenezi Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2020-04-20 Impact factor: 2.125
Authors: Abdulhakeem N Almutairi; Abdullah M Altuaysi; Mohammed S Alwhaid; Muath A Alhasson; Meshari A Alharbi; Hawra'a A Alsalam; Hashim A Almazyadi; Abdulrahman Ahmed Almuqbil Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2022-02-16