Investigating ethnic inequalities in hearing aid use in England and Wales: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo use routine data capture from hospitals in England and Wales to identify whether there has been an increase in the annual numbers of children newly certified sight impaired in England and Wales between 1999/2000 and 2014/2015 and to examine causes of certifiable sight impairment in children certified in 2014/2015.DesignA cross-sectional study including an analysis of all certificates of vision impairment completed in hospitals in England and Wales each year between 2007/2008 and 2014/2015 and all certificates completed in hospitals in England and Wales in 1999/2000.ParticipantsCertificates for all individuals aged 16 years or less at the time of certification in England and Wales for each financial year between 1 April 2007 and the 31 March 2015 and for individuals aged 15 years or less for the year ending 31 March 2000. We obtained information on the main cause of certifiable sight loss for all children certified in 2014/2015. We estimated crude and sex specific incidence estimates with 95% confidence intervals computed by Byars method.ResultsIn 1999/2000, the estimated incidence (95 % CI) of certification was 8.2 (7.7 to 8.8) per 1 00 000. In 2007/2008, the estimated incidence was statistically significantly higher at 10.1 (9.5 to 10.7). Since then a trend of increasing incidence with time has been observed until 2014/2015 when an estimated incidence of 13.3 (12.6 to 14.0) was observed. Hereditary retinal dystrophies, cerebral visual impairment and nystagmus were the most common single causes of certifiable sight impairment in children in 2014/2015.ConclusionOur findings show that in England and Wales there has been an increase in the number of children newly certified sight impaired by consultant ophthalmologists since 1999/2000. This mirrors our previous findings based on data originating within social service departments.

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The psychosocial impact of hearing aids in children with otitis media with effusion

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215114002163 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 128 (11) ◽

pp. 972-975 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A Qureishi ◽

G Garas ◽

A Mallick ◽

D Parker

Keyword(s):

Otitis Media ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Otitis Media With Effusion ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Psychosocial Impact ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hearing Aid Use

AbstractBackground:In children, otitis media with effusion is treated using grommets or hearing aids. Parents considering treatment options express concerns regarding the psychosocial impact of hearing aids in terms of self-esteem and bullying. This study assessed the psychosocial impact of hearing aid use.Methods:A cross-sectional study was undertaken comparing hearing aid users to non hearing aid users with regard to their attitudes towards hearing aids. All subjects, who had been diagnosed with otitis media with effusion, were aged less than 16 years, were without disability and attended mainstream schools. A questionnaire was designed and utilised.Results:The study comprised 47 children with hearing aids and 50 with grommets. Significant between-group differences (p < 0.05) were noted with regard to perceptions related to bullying, feelings of inadequacy and embarrassment. The overall negative perceptions of non hearing aid users were not reported by hearing aid users.Conclusion:Children with hearing aids do not suffer from bullying or low self-esteem to the extent perceived by parents. This information is useful for informed decisions regarding treatment of otitis media with effusion.

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Dating and relationship violence among 16–19 year olds in England and Wales: a cross-sectional study of victimization

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdx139 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 738-746 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Honor Young ◽

Catherine Turney ◽

James White ◽

Chris Bonell ◽

Ruth Lewis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Relationship Violence ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

England And Wales

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Use of prescribing indicators as a means of identifying variation in the prevalence of valproate prescribing between health communities: a cross-sectional study

Integrated Healthcare Journal ◽

10.1136/ihj-2019-000022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. e000022

Author(s):

Andrew Evans ◽

Anne Hinchliffe ◽

Kerenza Hood ◽

Andrew Carson Stevens

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Local Health ◽

Strong Positive Correlation ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prescribing Indicators ◽

England And Wales ◽

Women And Girls ◽

Health Communities

ObjectiveTo determine the appropriateness of valproate prescribing indicators in England and Wales as a means of identifying variation in the prevalence of valproate use among women and girls of childbearing potential between health communities.Methods and analysisCross-sectional study using an ecological design using routinely published, publicly available valproate prescribing data for the period January to March 2019 and 2018 mid-year population estimates.ResultsIn England and Wales, 87.7 people in every 1000 people prescribed valproate were women or girls aged 14–45 years (range 60.4–133.2). The prevalence of valproate use among all women and girls of childbearing age was 1.49 cases per 1000 women and girls aged 14–45 years (range 0.47–3.13). Considerable variation in prevalence was observed depending on which of two measures was used. The relative risk of exposure between health communities increased from 2.2 to 6.6 depending on the measure used, leading to the identification of different health communities being a priority for action. Wide variation was observed in the prevalence of valproate use among individuals other than women and girls aged 14–45 years (mean prevalence 3.89 cases per 1000 population, range 2.42–7.78). The prevalence of valproate use in all Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Health Boards was lower in the at-risk population than in the rest of the population (p=0.046) with a strong positive correlation observed between the prevalence of valproate use in these two groups (p<0.001).ConclusionCurrent indicators may lead to a failure to systematically review women and girls of childbearing age prescribed valproate. Urgent consideration should be given to changing the indicators used in England and Wales.

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