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Hearing impairment in children living with HIV in Haiti

Vienna Valeriani1, Ankita Patro2, Nathaniel Segaren1

  • 1Caris Foundation Haiti, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|October 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Hearing impairment affects 18% of HIV-infected children in Haiti, with ear infections being a key risk factor. Routine hearing screenings are crucial due to low caregiver awareness of hearing loss in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Audiology
  • Global health

Background:

  • Children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be at increased risk for hearing impairment.
  • Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for hearing loss in this population in low-resource settings like Haiti is critical for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hearing impairment among HIV-infected children in Haiti.
  • To identify associated risk factors, including otologic history and HIV-specific parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A smartphone-based audiometry platform was used to screen 341 HIV-infected children (ages 7-18) in Port-au-Prince.
  • Comprehensive audiometric evaluations were performed for children who failed initial screening.
  • Data on demographics, ear infections, family history, and HIV status were collected via surveys and medical records.

Main Results:

  • A significant prevalence of hearing impairment was found in 18% (60/341) of the studied children.
  • Frequent ear infections (OR 3.37) and a family history of hearing loss (OR 5.12) were strongly associated with hearing impairment.
  • No significant association was found between hearing impairment and HIV viral load or duration of antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-infected children in Haiti exhibit a higher prevalence of hearing impairment than the general population.
  • Frequent ear infections are a significant risk factor, underscoring the need for their management.
  • Low caregiver recognition of hearing loss highlights the necessity for systematic hearing screening in this vulnerable group.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenHIVHaitiHearing lossHearing screeningPublic health

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