Knowledge and cultural beliefs of mothers regarding the risk factors of infant hearing loss and awareness of audiology services

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to describe the knowledge of mothers in Durban, South Africa, regarding risk factors of hearing loss in infants and their awareness of audiology services, and to describe their cultural beliefs about the risk factors for hearing loss in infants. A descriptive survey design with quantitative methods of analysis were used. Conveniently sampled mothers (n=102) receiving postnatal care for their infants from eight provincial clinics within Durban consented to participate, yielding a response rate of 48%. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and the Cronbach α was calculated yielding a score of 0.835, indicating good internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaire. Sixty percent of the mothers were aware of risk factors, such as middle ear infections, ototoxic medication and consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Seventy percent were unaware that NICU/mechanical ventilation for more than 5 days, prematurity, rubella and jaundice are considered risk factors for hearing loss, implying a need to create awareness amongst mothers regarding such risk factors. Sixty percent (n=62) believed that bewitchment and ancestral curses can cause hearing loss. Cultural beliefs were associated with hearing loss, therefore, health professionals need to demonstrate cultural competence when providing audiology services, especially in a culturally and linguistically diverse countries such as South Africa. Although the mothers had an average knowledge about risk factors, two thirds did not know which professional to seek help from. There is a need to create awareness amongst mothers regarding the risk factors of infant hearing loss as well as audiology services in order to facilitate early detection and intervention. There is a need for health professionals to demonstrate cultural competence when working with their patients.

Awareness and knowledge of hearing loss, hearing management modalities, speech and language pathology among general public in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

“…14 Similarly, approximately 79% of respondents were aware that their child's ototoxic medicine and middle ear infections would lead to hearing loss. 16 Moreover, it can be noted that the hearing loss awareness of individuals older than 25 was significantly better than the younger age group of≤25 years) (p<0.001). We further observed that, married respondents were significantly more associated with having better awareness toward hearing loss (p<0.001).…”

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

“…An overwhelming majority of the study participants will take their child to the clinic, doctor or audiologist if they suspect a hearing loss. Govender and Khan ( 2017 ) also supported this, but stated that more than 70% of the participants did not know that audiologists are the ones responsible for hearing aid prescription and fitting, as well as aural rehabilitation services. Only 45% of participants were aware that an audiologist is responsible for screening, assessing, diagnosing and managing hearing loss in both children and adults.…”

“…A study by Govender and Khan (2017), performed in urban KwaZulu-Natal, Durban central region, yielded different results with regard to cultural beliefs. Angry ancestors were noted by 60.8% of the participants and curses by 55.9% as being causes of hearing loss in their infants.…”

Knowledge and Perception on Hearing Loss, Hearing Management Modalities, Speech and Language Pathology among General Public in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Another study conducted in Africa showed that over half of mothers were unaware that maternal rubella can lead to hearing loss. In addition, (78.4%) of the participants were aware that ototoxic medication consumed by their child and middle ear infections can result in hearing loss 11 .…”