Assessment of the family caregiver in hearing loss among preschool children

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to assess knowledge, opinion, and practice of caregivers regarding preschool hearing impaired children. Total [100] caregivers with their children were selected under certain criteria from the outpatient clinic of Embaba Hearing and Speech institute during the year 2004. The inclusion criteria included [a] age 2-5 years [b] degree of hearing loss [mild, moderate, sever loss]. Mentally retarded children were excluded form the study. Three tools were designed to collect the required data. First; a questionnaire sheet was used to collect information about demographic characteristics of children and their caregivers, personal and family history, and caregivers knowledge. It included also, the reported practice of the caregivers. Second; A-31evel scale was used to measure caregivers opinion. Third; an observation checklist was used to assess the interaction between family caregivers and the child. The study revealed that only 7% of caregivers had satisfactory knowledge, [46%] had favorable opinions and the majority [84%] had satisfactory practice toward children with hearing impairment. Around two third of children [65.0%] had history of otitis media. Most of the cases were discovered before the first and second years of life [37.0% and 40.0% respectively]. One-hundred percent [100%] were treated by the hearing aids fitting. Furthermore, the study showed significant re-lationship between care-givers' opinion and residence [p=0.01] and consanguinity [p = 0.04]. the study recommended increasing care-givers awareness regarding early detection and care of children with hearing impairment