Mhealth hearing screening for children by non-specialist health workers in communities. (23rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dawood, Nausheen; Mahomed Asmail, Faheema; Louw, Christine; Swanepoel, De Wet
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 60(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S23
• Page End: S29
• Publication Date: 2021-07-23
• Subjects: Adult or general hearing screening -- hearing conservation/hearing loss prevention paediatric -- non-specialist hearing screening; Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1829719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To compare outcomes of a community-based hearing screening programme using smartphone screening audiometry operated by specialist (School Health Nurses – SHNs) and non-specialist health workers (Community Health Workers – CHWs) in school children. Design: This study used a two-group comparison of screening outcomes as conducted by SHNs and CHWs using smartphone screening for children in communities. Study sample: The study included 71 CHWs and 21 SHNs who conducted community-based hearing screening on 6805 children. One thousand one hundred and fifteen hearing screening tests were conducted by the CHWs and 5690 tests by the SHNs. Results: No significant difference in screening outcome was evident between CHWs and SHNs using a binomial logistic regression analysis considering age, test duration and noise levels as independent variables. Final screening result was significantly affected by age ( p < 0.005), duration of test ( p < 0.005) and noise levels exceeding at 1 kHz in at least one ear ( p < 0.005). Test failure was associated with longer test duration ( p < 0.005; B : 119.98; 95% CI: 112.65–127.30). CHWs had significantly ( p < 0.005) longer test durations (68.70 s; 70 SD) in comparison to SHNs (55.85 s; 66.1 SD). Conclusion: Low-cost mobile technologies with automated testing facilitated from user-friendly interfaces allow minimally trained persons to provide community-based screening comparable to specialised personnel.