Audiological follow-up in a risk-based newborn hearing screening programme: An exploratory study of the influencing
Amisha Kanji1, Kirsten Krabbenhoft
1Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of the Witwatersrand. amisha.kanji@wits.ac.za.
Insights
Positive caregiver experiences with friendly audiologists and clear communication significantly improved follow-up rates in newborn hearing screening. Addressing the challenge of distance is crucial for early hearing detection and intervention programs.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs are vital for identifying hearing loss in infants.
- High follow-up return rates in EHDI are essential for meeting benchmarks and ensuring timely diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing audiological follow-up attendance for high-risk infants.
- To understand caregiver perspectives within a risk-based newborn hearing screening program.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative exploratory design using purposive sampling in South Africa.
- Semi-structured interviews with 10 caregivers of infants in a newborn hearing screening program.
- Thematic analysis of qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data.
Main Results:
- Facilitating factors for follow-up included friendly audiologists, clear communication, and appointment reminders.
- The primary challenge identified was the significant distance from the hospital to the participants' residences.
- Demographic, socio-economic, and interpersonal factors influence follow-up return rates.
Conclusions:
- Interpersonal factors like communication and professional demeanor are key to improving follow-up rates.
- Addressing logistical barriers, such as travel distance, is critical for program success.
- Recommendations include optimizing appointment scheduling and enhancing professional-to-patient interactions.
Background:
Follow-up return rate in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programmes is of specific importance as it ensures that benchmarks are met and that no child with suspected hearing loss is left unidentified.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing audiological follow-up of high-risk infants in a risk-based newborn hearing screening programme.
Method:
A non-experimental, exploratory, qualitative research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used. The study was conducted at a secondary level hospital in the public health care sector in South Africa. Participants comprised 10 caregivers (age range 26-40 years) of infants who had been enrolled in a risk-based newborn hearing screening programme, and returned for follow-up appointments. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Responses were recorded by the researcher and a colleague to ensure rigour and trustworthiness of findings. Data were analysed using thematic analysis for open-ended questions and descriptive statistics for the closed-ended questions.
Results:
The most common positive contributors that facilitated participants' attendance at follow-up appointments were: having friendly audiologists; a clear line of communication between caregiver and audiologist and a reminder of the appointment. The most significant perceived challenge that participants described in returning for the follow-up appointment was living in far proximity from the hospital.
Conclusion:
Findings of the study revealed that influencing factors on follow-up return rate are demographic, socio-economic, and interpersonal in nature and further suggested the need for an all-inclusive appointment day. It may be of importance to not only look at what is being done to improve the follow-up return rate but also how it should be done in terms of professional-to-patient communication and interactions.
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