Prevalence of hearing impairment among primary school children in rural and urban areas of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Ear diseases are particularly important in primary school children because it is the earliest time when they learn ABSTRACT Background: Hearing impairment in school children is particularly important because it is the earliest time when the foundation for education and mental and linguistic development is laid down. Present study aims at estimate the burden of hearing impairment among school children in rural and urban field practice areas of Urban and Rural Health Training Centers, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: Estimated sample of 630 was taken. Sampling method: probability proportionate to size (PPS) and stratified random sampling. The children were interviewed using semi structured format followed by general examination and assessment of hearing function. The diagnosis of hearing impairment was done on the basis of history, voice test and abnormal tuning fork tests. It was considered to be present when at least either of the voice test and tuning fork tests was found to be abnormal. Results: The prevalence of Hearing Impairment among the study population was found to be 17.9% (109/610), observed to be higher among rural (18.8%) as compared to urban (13.5%) school children. It was found to be significantly associated with Standard of living Index (SLI) and nutritional status of the children. Conclusions: The study highlights the high burden of hearing impairment in study population and the need for strengthening the school health activities focused on hearing impairment.

Prevalence of communication disorders among school children in Ballari, South India: A cross-sectional study

“…The present study results revealed a total of 75 (3.25%) children with hearing and otological problems which is similar to the study by Savithri et al 14 which reported 3.4% of prevalence rate for hearing disorders among school children and also a study by Varsha et al 16 who reported presence of hearing and otological problems in 85 children among 1453 school children. Further, among the 75 children with hearing and otological problems, 53 (2.30%) children were having otological problems such as impacted curemen, perforation, ear pain, etc which is lesser in contrast to the findings of previous studies by Chadha et al, 18 who reported a prevalence rate of 17.92% among school children in northern India and also a study by Parvez et al 20 who reported a prevalence rate of 17.9% among school children of Aligarh district. Further, the prevalence rates of hearing disorders was also lower compared to the study by Ojha et al 15 who reported a prevalence rate of 15.7% for hearing impairment in school children in the age range of 3-14 years.…”

“…This may be attributed to otological disorders among children due to poor hygiene, the lack of awareness, literacy levels, socioeconomic status, lack of clinical facilities, etc among rural areas. 11,[17][18][19][20] Further, the prevalence of communication disorders was higher among males (2.38%) compared to females (1.91%) which may be due to differences in the developmental patterns of speech and language, 30 genetic and non-genetic factors where females are prone to overcome few of the developmental speech disorders such as stuttering 31,32,33 higher prevalence of otological conditions (trauma, middle ear infections, etc.) in males than females.…”

“…The higher otological and hearing problems among school children may be due to lack of awareness about ear and hearing care, poor hygiene among rural population, socio-economic status, etc, which may be prevented through early identification and treatment. 20 Otological impairments are more frequent seasonal (rainy & winter) weather changes, may be leading to common middle ear pathologies in the school children, 34 especially among children from rural areas due to poor hygiene, lack of awareness and socioeconomic issues. 17,18,19,35 A total of 24 children (1.04%) out of total 2304 school children were identified to have speech and language disorders which is lesser in contrast to the prevalence rate of 10.6% reported by Savithri et al 14 and 3.09% by Varsha et al 16 The present study revealed stuttering and speech sound disorders are more prevalent among school children compared to other speech and language disorders.…”

“…The results of the epidemiological studies indicated that the increased prevalence rates of communication disorders among school children is majorly due to presence of preventable otological conditions such as impacted cerumen, otitis media, fungal infections, and foreign body insertions which result in reduced hearing sensitivity as also reported by previous studies. 17,18,19,20 The results of the above studies reported higher prevalence rate of communication disorders is among school children compared to overall prevalence rates 8,9,10 however, this data is insufficient to understand the exact nature and causes of communication disorders among school children. Further, the majority of acquired communication disorders can be prevented through primary and secondary prevention programs to reduce the disease related burden.…”

Prevalence and causes of communication disorders- A retrospective study from northern Karnataka

“…8%) and multiple disorder (0.2%). Parvez A et al (2017)16 also reported prevalence rate of hearing impairment in (Uttar Pradesh, north India) school going children and result showed 17.9% (109/610) reported to have hearing impairment.Among the risk factors causing communication disorders, consanguinity was found to be the highest. Studies have reported higher number of consanguineous marriages in northern part of Karnataka compared to south.…”