ABSTRACT
BACKGROUD: Hearing loss is the most common congenital disorder that appears as a unilateral or bilateral deafness. Early detection by screening and appropriate intervention lead to better oral communication and language development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost per new case identification of neonate hearing screening. METHODS: The cost effectiveness of two stage hospital based newborn hearing loss screening was evaluated in this study. We gathered data for 11168 newborns born in 10 hospitals. We included a direct cost and new case identification as cost and outcome measures from health system prospective in our model. RESULTS: We found 19 new cases with hearing loss from 11168 screened neonates (1.7 per 1000). The referral rates in the first and second stages were respectively 28% and 7%. The total cost of screening program was 132167 US$. The main cost item is screening test (OAE). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded cost per new case detection is 6956 US$ in Iranian neonate hearing screening program. Almost, it is equal to GDP per capita and it may be cost effective. Since there are many strategies to screening of newborn, it is suggested that all alternative screening strategies be analyzed by a cost effectiveness method to find the best strategy for hearing loss screening.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the Persian version of the Sustained Auditory Attention Capacity Test in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. METHODS: The Persian version of the Sustained Auditory Attention Capacity Test was constructed to assess sustained auditory attention using the method provided by Feniman and colleagues (2007). In this test, comments were provided to assess the child's attentional deficit by determining inattention and impulsiveness error, the total scores of the sustained auditory attention capacity test and attention span reduction index. In the present study for determining the validity and reliability of in both Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test and the Persian version of the Sustained Auditory Attention Capacity Test (SAACT), 46 normal children and 41 children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD), all right-handed and aged between 7 and 11 of both genders, were evaluated. RESULTS: In determining convergent validity, a negative significant correlation was found between the three parts of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test (first, fifth, and immediate recall) and all indicators of the SAACT except attention span reduction. By comparing the test scores between the normal and ADHD groups, discriminant validity analysis showed significant differences in all indicators of the test except for attention span reduction (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Persian version of the Sustained Auditory Attention Capacity test has good validity and reliability, that matches other reliable tests, and it can be used for the identification of children with attention deficits and if they suspected to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Measuring parent satisfaction with neonatal hearing screening programs is one of the most important indicators for assessing the quality and effectiveness and a useful instrument to identify service shortfalls. The aims of this study were to translate and adapt Parent Satisfaction Questionnaire with Neonatal Hearing Screening Programs (PSQ-NHSPs) to Persian language, determine the validity and reliability of this translation, and determine the level of parent satisfaction with neonatal hearing screening programs in Iran. METHODS: Translated Persian version of the original English PSQ-HNSPs was presented to 138 parents whose children had received hearing screening before discharge from hospital. RESULTS: The majority of parents responded strongly agree or agree to all dimensions of the questionnaire: overall satisfaction (90.6%), personnel in charge of hearing test (60.1%), and appointment activities (58%). Good internal consistency reliability (a=0.89) and moderate test-retest reliability (r=0.61) of the Persian version of PSQ-NHSPs were indicated. Construct validity was demonstrated by a significant positive relationship between overall satisfaction and specific dimensions in the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The Persian version of PSQ-NHSPs is a valid and reliable tool to assess the level of parent satisfaction with neonatal hearing screening programs.
