Volume : 8, Issue : 1, January - 2019

Knowledge and attitudes of parents of children less than 5 years regarding ear health, ear infections &hearing health : a cross sectional study

Hardik Shah, Hiral Shah

Abstract :

Burden of hearing loss in children less than 5 years are increasing in India and parent’s active participation is needed for ear and hearing health. Parent’s knowledge and attitudes towards same is the basis for their decisions. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and different practices regarding ear health, infection and hearing health among the parents of children less than 5 years Methodology: A cross sectional structured questionnaire based study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad.Total 230 parents of children less than 5 years were interviewed about their practices for child ear health, knowledge and practices about ear infections and hearing impairment. All answers were analysed. Results: We have interviewed most of mothers and mostly they had only primary education coming from lower socio economic class. 80% of parents were doing faulty ear cleaning practices. About 30 -38% had no knowledge about symptoms, preventions, causes and consequences of ear infections. And 69% believed in home remedies for same. All were concerned about their child hearing health but 77% had no knowledge about preventions, causes and treatment of hearing impairment in child. More than 60% knew about consulting audiologist for same but they had no idea about hearing test and government help for same. Conclusion: There is a general lack of public awareness of ear and hearing health in parents .This study highlighted the need for the National Department of Health in collaboration with ear professionals to develop and implement effective strategies to increase public’s awareness of the same. This is crucial to decrease hearing loss load in India.