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Prevalence of hearing loss among primary school children in Mbarara, Uganda

Irving Basañez1, Doreen Nakku2, Susan Stangl3

  • 1Vanderbilt University, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 7209 Medical Center East-South Tower, 1215 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-8605, USA.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|November 28, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study found that 3.1% of primary school children in Mbarara, Uganda have hearing loss. Early detection and prevention strategies are crucial for addressing childhood hearing impairment globally.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Audiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood hearing loss is a significant global health concern.
  • Prevalence and causes of hearing loss in Ugandan primary school children were investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of disabling hearing loss in primary school children in Mbarara, Uganda.
  • To identify the prevalence and etiology of hearing loss in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 639 primary school children aged 5-14 years.
  • Screening for disabling hearing loss (threshold >30dB) followed by confirmatory audiometry for those who failed.

Main Results:

  • 5.5% of screened children failed initial hearing tests.
  • A confirmed prevalence of 3.1% for true hearing loss was established after follow-up.
  • Two children were lost to follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of hearing loss in Mbarara, Uganda, is comparable to other global populations.
  • Hearing loss presents a substantial public health challenge in Uganda.
  • Recommendations include implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention measures for childhood hearing loss.
Abstract

Keywords:
AfricaAudiologyHearing lossHearing screeningSchoolchildrenUganda

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