Health care workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards newborn hearing screening in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss is the fourth highest cause of disability globally. The prevalence is higher in sub-Saharan Africa at 15.7% compared to high-income countries (4.9%). The available evidence suggests that much of it is avoidable or treatable.
Objective: To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of newborn hearing screening among health care professionals in Kenya Design, Setting and study participants: A cross-sectional study using the convenient sampling method among medical practitioners attending two scientific conferences in Kenya.
Outcome measures: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Newborn hearing screening.
Results: A total of 138 participants were included in the study. Most participants (76.1%) responded that screening newborns for hearing loss was very important. Only 26.1% were confident to explain the screening process to parents who had questions about the results. Most respondents demonstrated a lack of understanding of the timing for early diagnosis and interventions for infants who fail to pass the screening test. In addition, participants indicated a lack of access to hearing assessment centers (22.4%), introduction into postgraduate training (17.1%), and lack of information about the condition (15.8%) as concerns regarding hearing screening, diagnosis, and interventions.
Conclusion: Physicians support newborn hearing screening but are not confident talking with parents about the results. Knowledge gaps in when to refer for follow-up procedures and interventions and implementing surveillance for late-onset hearing loss. Provision of action-Web-based materials, and introduction of the topic into basic and postgraduate training could address the knowledge gaps identified.oriented resources,