Mapping neonatal hearing screening services in Cape Town metro: A situational analysis.
hearing loss
low- and middle-income countries
neonatal hearing screening
Journal
African journal of primary health care & family medicine
ISSN: 2071-2936
Titre abrégé: Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med
Pays: South Africa
ID NLM: 101520860
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
20 Aug 2024
20 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
31
10
2023
accepted:
15
07
2024
revised:
04
07
2024
medline:
2
9
2024
pubmed:
2
9
2024
entrez:
2
9
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Childhood hearing loss is a global health concern. Despite the proven benefits of neonatal hearing screening (NHS), it is not yet mandated in South Africa. The lack of awareness of hearing loss and absence of NHS leads to delayed diagnosis and adverse developmental outcomes for affected children. The study aimed to assess the availability of NHS services across primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in the City of Cape Town (CCT). Surveys were conducted with 26 PHC facilities in the CCT metropolitan areas that offer mother and child healthcare services. Surveys gathered data through online and telephone methods. The surveys aimed to assess the availability and nature of NHS services, care pathways and training of healthcare professionals regarding NHS. None of the facilities used objective screening methods to screen hearing or have standardised care pathways for at-risk babies. Instead, they relied on parental concerns, with the use of the Road to Health book. None of the respondents reported having received hearing screening training, and the majority of participants (62%) lacked confidence in their knowledge of ear and hearing care. The absence of NHS services highlights the need for standardised protocols and increased awareness among healthcare workers and caregivers. Implementing NHS services could facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention of hearing loss for infants in the Western Cape.Contribution: This study's findings could guide efforts to improving access to NHS access at PHC level in Cape Town, ultimately providing early hearing screening services to infants.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Childhood hearing loss is a global health concern. Despite the proven benefits of neonatal hearing screening (NHS), it is not yet mandated in South Africa. The lack of awareness of hearing loss and absence of NHS leads to delayed diagnosis and adverse developmental outcomes for affected children.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to assess the availability of NHS services across primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in the City of Cape Town (CCT).
SETTING
METHODS
Surveys were conducted with 26 PHC facilities in the CCT metropolitan areas that offer mother and child healthcare services.
METHODS
METHODS
Surveys gathered data through online and telephone methods. The surveys aimed to assess the availability and nature of NHS services, care pathways and training of healthcare professionals regarding NHS.
RESULTS
RESULTS
None of the facilities used objective screening methods to screen hearing or have standardised care pathways for at-risk babies. Instead, they relied on parental concerns, with the use of the Road to Health book. None of the respondents reported having received hearing screening training, and the majority of participants (62%) lacked confidence in their knowledge of ear and hearing care.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The absence of NHS services highlights the need for standardised protocols and increased awareness among healthcare workers and caregivers. Implementing NHS services could facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention of hearing loss for infants in the Western Cape.Contribution: This study's findings could guide efforts to improving access to NHS access at PHC level in Cape Town, ultimately providing early hearing screening services to infants.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39221735
doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4386
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM