Knowledge and attitudes of parents of children less than 5 years regarding ear health, ear infections &hearing health : a cross sectional study

Hardik Shah; Hiral Shah

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Knowledge and attitudes of parents of children less than 5 years regarding ear health, ear infections &hearing health : a cross sectional study

Hardik Shah, Hiral Shah

Abstract :

Burden of he� loss in children less than 5 years are increasing in India and parent�s active participation is needed for ear and he� health. Parent�s knowledge and attitudes towards same is the basis for their decisions. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and different practices regarding ear health, infection and he� health among the parents of children less than 5 years Methodology: A cross sectional structured questionnaire based study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad.Total 230 parents of children less than 5 years were interviewed about their practices for child ear health, knowledge and practices about ear infections and he� impairment. All answers were analysed. Results: We have interviewed most of mothers and mostly they had only primary education coming from lower socio economic class. 80% of parents were doing faulty ear cleaning practices. About 30 -38% had no knowledge about symptoms, preventions, causes and consequences of ear infections. And 69% believed in home remedies for same. All were concerned about their child he� health but 77% had no knowledge about preventions, causes and treatment of he� impairment in child. More than 60% knew about consulting audiologist for same but they had no idea about he� test and government help for same. Conclusion: There is a general lack of public awareness of ear and he� health in parents .This study highlighted the need for the National Department of Health in collaboration with ear professionals to develop and implement effective strategies to increase public�s awareness of the same. This is crucial to decrease he� loss load in India.