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

• Published in: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology Vol. 79; no. 12; pp. 2359 - 2363
• Main Authors: Basañez, Irving, Nakku, Doreen, Stangl, Susan, Wanna, George B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Africa; Audiology; Audiometry; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hearing loss; Hearing Loss - diagnosis; Hearing Loss - epidemiology; Hearing screening; Humans; Incidence; Lost to Follow-Up; Male; Otolaryngology; Pediatrics; Prevalence; Schoolchildren; Schools; Uganda; Uganda - epidemiology; Uganda; Uganda; Hearing screening; Schoolchildren; Africa; Hearing loss; Audiology
• ISSN: 0165-5876; 1872-8464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2015.10.044

Abstract Introduction Hearing loss in children is a common entity worldwide. We examined the prevalence and etiology of hearing loss among primary school children in Mbarara, Uganda. Methods Cross-sectional study in primary school children aged 5–14 was performed to determine the prevalence of hearing loss. Ugandan primary school children were screened for disabling hearing loss (threshold >30 dB) and confirmatory audiometry was performed on those who failed the screening. Results There were 639 children screened. Thirty-five (5.5%) of children screened failed and were referred for further testing. Two children were lost to follow-up. The percentage of children with true hearing loss was 3.1%. Conclusions The incidence of failed hearing screening and hearing loss in Mbarara, Uganda is similar to other populations. Hearing loss is a significant problem in Uganda and efforts should be made for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of hearing loss.