scholarly journals Hearing healthcare gaps in LMICS: snapshot from a semi-urban community in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 912-918
Author(s):  
Adebolajo Adeyemo ◽  
Segun Ogunkeyede ◽  
Oluyinka Dania

Background: Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) have high prevalence of hearing loss which are mainly due to pre- ventable causes. While urban communities in LMICs are likely to have functional hearing healthcare delivery infrastructure, rural and semi-urban communities may have different reality. Objectives: This study aimed to provide: (i) a snapshot of the burden of ear diseases and (ii) a description of available hearing healthcare resources in a semi-urban Nigerian community. Methods: A cross-sectional study of households selected by multistage random sampling technique. Seventy-four partici- pants: 39 males and 35 females with mean age of 34 years ± 5.24 were recruited and answered a structured questionnaire. In addition, the availability of hearing healthcare services in 15 health centers within the community were determined. Results: All participants reported recent occurrence of ear complaints or gave similar history in a household member. Com- mon complaints were ear discharge, ear pain and hearing loss. Medical intervention was sought from patent medicine stores, hospitals and traditional healers. None of the assessed hospitals within the study site was manned by an ENT surgeon or ENT trained nurse. Conclusion: Despite the heavy burden of ear complaints there is inadequate hearing healthcare delivery in a typical LMIC community. This highlights the need for urgent improvement of hearing healthcare. Keywords: Hearing loss; healthcare delivery; disease burden; ear diseases; developing countries.

Background: Febrile illness is considered a frequent medical syndrome of dengue. Due to the increasing prevalence of dengue infectivity, appropriate diagnosis among patients helps regarding timely medical intervention, etiological examination as well as disease control. Objective: To estimate the frequency of suspected and probable cases of dengue in febrile patients and their knowledge about dengue fever, presenting at outdoor of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study, in which 400 adult febrile patients visiting at outdoor of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore were included. A convenient sampling technique was carried out. Among the total febrile patients included, the frequency of suspected and probable cases was calculated. Data was collected through a questionnaire, which was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Out of 400 patients, 36.5% were 21-30 years old and 53.5% were female. Among these patients, 100% had fever (>2 and <10 days), 31.8% had headache, 51.8% had myalgia and43.8% patients had arthralgia while 12.5% were suspected cases of dengue. Majority (97.2%) had knowledge that full sleeve shirt can prevent dengue, none of the respondents had knowledge regarding dengue symptoms and 76% of respondents had knowledge that dengue is fatal. For the majority (76%) of respondents, the main source of information regarding dengue was health teams. Conclusion: The study concluded that symptoms of dengue fever in the study patients, as well as the dengue, suspected cases were mainly headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, and arthralgia. The majority of the patients had knowledge about dengue prevention. Most of the adult febrile as well as suspected had no knowledge about the symptomology of dengue fever.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Kokuro ◽  
Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji

Cervical cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed and the fourth commonest cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Even though cervical cancer is preventable, its screening rate has been reported to be low in Ghana. To the best of our knowledge, no study has focused on the utilisation and perceptions of cervical cancer among women in their reproductive age in Ghana. The present study aimed at assessing the utilisation and perceptions of cervical cancer screening services among women who seek reproductive healthcare services. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among women aged 18 years and above. Using a two-stage sampling technique, 369 participants were selected from 2 out of 4 eligible study sites. Data on the perceptions and utilisation of cervical cancer screening services were collected following ethical approval. The data were collected using both English and Twi versions of the questionnaire. The data were descriptively and inferentially analysed. A few of the participants had been previously screened for cervical cancer (n = 69; 18.7%), while a greater proportion of the participants appropriately perceived the screening benefits (> 70%), and an equally greater percentage of them harboured negative perceptions which prevented them from engaging in such endeavours (> 80%). Significant differences in perception were, however, observed in two-fifths of the studied areas (6/14) among the screened and unscreened participants. Cervical cancer screening services were not utilised by the majority of the participating women. Screening was associated with socio-demographic characteristics such as marital status, parity, education, and employment status. Inappropriate perceptions on cervical cancer screening may account for the low utilisation of cervical cancer screening. Therefore, all-inclusive health education on the benefits of cervical cancer screening for both women and men should be a priority for stakeholders and all health organisations.


Author(s):  
Daniel Akhtar ◽  
Azmat Tahira ◽  
Ambreen Sadaf ◽  
Maria Shahzadi ◽  
Umair Ahsan ◽  
...  

Hearing impairment also known as hearing loss is a total or partial incapability to hear. Hard of hearing individuals have difficulty understanding speech sounds. The hearing tribulations in children could have an effect on the ability to learn spoken language as well as in adults it could be able to generate difficulty with social communication in addition to at work. Objective: To determine the Frequency of severity level along with its types of hearing loss in children age 5 to 15 years coming to the Department of Audiology in Children Hospital and ICH, Lahore. Methods: The Descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the Audiology Department of Children Hospital and ICH in Lahore District, Punjab Province, Pakistan. Children of age limit between 5 to 15 years were had screened and examine for hearing impairment according to the World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. A purposive sampling technique was used. The Case-control analysis of the audiometric test had performed to find out the type and degree of Hearing loss, follow by Chi-Square analysis. Results: The total of 175 children comprised the study population, in which 51.4% (n=90) children belong to the age group of 10-12 years, had Moderate to Severe SNHL due to Birth complications and lack of awareness about Preventable hearing loss especially in rural areas of Pakistan, 28.5% (n=50) children belong to the age group of 13-15 years, had Severe to Profound SNHL due to Consanguineous marriages, 20% (n=35) children belong to the age group of 7-9 years, had Mild to Moderate CHL due to Ear Discharge and other complications like Tonsillitis and Adenoids, etc. Conclusions: This study concluded that a total of 175 children participated in that research, in which 90 children had Moderate to Severe SNHL, 50 children had Severe to Profound SNHL and 35 children had Mild to Moderate CHL.    


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kazeem Arogundade ◽  
June Sampson ◽  
Elizabeth Boath ◽  
Ubong Akpan ◽  
Olaposi Olatoregun ◽  
...  

Background. Poor maternal health indices, including high maternal mortality, are among Nigeria’s major public health problems. Most of these deaths can be prevented by timely access and utilization of maternity healthcare services by women. Aim/Objective. This study seeks to identify factors affecting the utilization of health facilities for the delivery of babies among mothers in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology. The study was a community-based cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was administered to 422 women of reproductive age residents in the study area who had given birth at least once within the last five years prior to the survey using a multistage random sampling technique. Data generated were entered, coded, and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0), and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression were used for the identification of variables associated with health facility-based delivery. Result. The mean age of respondents was 27.3 years (SD = 8.4). Fifty-two percent of the respondents utilized the health facility for delivery, 89.6% attended at least one antenatal clinic (ANC), and 18.9% completed at least 3 ANC sessions. There was a statistically significant association between health facility delivery and marital status ( P = 0.007 ), education ( P = 0.042 ), and family size ( P = 0.002 ). Older women (OR = 0.7, CI = 0.169–3.714), Christians (OR = 1.9, CI = 0.093–41.1), divorcees (OR = 3.7, CI = 0.00–0.00), and respondents who registered early (first trimester) for ANC (OR = 4.9, CI = 0.78–31.48) were found to be higher users of delivery services at the health facility. Conclusion. Community health intervention focusing on improving the knowledge and awareness of the significance of utilizing available delivery services at the healthcare facility should be developed and implemented.


Author(s):  
Syed Mustafa Ali ◽  
Naveed Anjum ◽  
Farah Naureen ◽  
Aamna Rashid ◽  
Adeel Tahir ◽  
...  

Objective: The private healthcare providers (PHCP) are believed to improve access to healthcare services in Public-Private Mix (PPM) projects, as they are considered first point of contact for healthcare. The purpose of this study was to know the satisfaction level of TB patients. Design: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was carried out during November and December 2017 for 572 under-treatment patients registered with PHCPs in the PPM project. Lot quality assurance sampling technique was used to randomly select 19 districts from sample frame of 75 districts. In each selected district, data collector retrieved TB register of 8 months (Jan &ndash; Aug 2017) and systematically selected patients by fixed periodic interval. SPSS (version 24.0) was used to analyze the data. Results: Study included 53% (n=301) of males and 47% (n=271) of females, with mean age of 38 years (SD, &plusmn;18). Almost half of the participants were illiterate (51%, n=289) and 64% (n=365) were non-earning members of the family. In practice, most of the participants visit private providers (71%, n=407), including private hospital/clinic (44%) and traditional practitioners (27%; n=153). 55% of participants visited the current doctor because of clinic&rsquo;s proximity to residence. 82% of the participants (n=469) were satisfied with the TB care services and 85% (n=488) said that they would recommend this clinic to others. Conclusion: PHCPs are preferred providers for individuals, which is consistent with findings of other studies. Though they are satisfied with TB care and services, interventions should be introduced to reduce the financial burden on the patient. Partnering PHCP is a way forward to ensure universal health coverage, health system strengthening and better health outcomes of the population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 214-214
Author(s):  
Erika Squires ◽  
Hua Ou

Abstract Increasing the accessibility and affordability of hearing healthcare is a public health concern. Because low health literacy is a significant barrier to the use of existing effective healthcare services, it is critical to assess and understand health literacy deficits specific to hearing loss before implementing interventions. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify differences in hearing loss health literacy among older and young adults, which is warranted because older adults are at-risk for lower levels of health literacy compared to their younger counterparts. Adults across the lifespan (n = 170) completed the Hearing Loss Health Literacy Assessment Tool, which includes self-rated ability to access/obtain, understand, and appraise hearing health information, as well as apply information to manage life with hearing loss. Results from an independent samples t-test indicated that older adults (M = 6.3, SD = 1.45, n = 54) self-reported significantly higher overall hearing health literacy than younger adults (M = 5.37, SD = 1.27, n = 116), t(168) = 4.22, p &lt; 0.0001. Participants rated their ability to access/obtain information significantly lower than the other subscales. Age-differences in self-rated hearing health literacy exist. Findings from this study receive support from evidence indicating that the readability and suitability of the majority of patient education materials on hearing loss are not appropriate for the average U.S. adult. This investigation provides further evidence that the availability and accessibility of patient education materials on hearing loss is an important barrier that contributes to the limited use of hearing health care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-281
Author(s):  
AK Ahmed ◽  
OY Ojo ◽  
MJ Saka ◽  
GA Salaudeen

Background: Clients’ satisfaction surveys are required to identify gaps and challenges in providing healthcare services; to ensure the quality of care and patient satisfaction. Objectives: To compare and assess factors responsible for healthcare satisfaction among rural and urban communities in Ilorin East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State to improve service provision among the communities. Methods: This was a comparative, cross-sectional study involving rural (250) and urban (250) respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Focus Group Discussion was also used to collect qualitative data. Participants were selected through the purposive sampling technique. Results: The proportion of clients who expressed satisfaction was 172 (68.8%) among urban and 175 (70.0%) among rural respondents, (z = 0.57; p = 0.45). The attitude of healthcare personnel influenced satisfaction among both the rural (56.0%) and urban (63.3%) respondents, respectively; short waiting time (12.8%) and privacy of the consulting rooms (13.7%) were reasons influencing satisfaction with service. Conclusion: Short waiting time and privacy of consulting room were reasons for service satisfaction among clients. Waiting time was a strong predictor of satisfaction. There is a need to improve health personnel’s attitude to work to ensure clients’ satisfaction with healthcare services.


Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Ali ◽  
Anjum ◽  
Naureen ◽  
Rashid ◽  
Tahir ◽  
...  

Objective: The private healthcare providers (PHCP) are believed to improve access to healthcare services in public–private mix (PPM) projects, as they are considered first point of contact for healthcare. The purpose of this study was to determine the satisfaction level of tuberculosis (TB) patients. Design: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was carried out during November and December 2017 for 572 under-treatment patients registered with PHCPs in the PPM project. Lot quality assurance sampling technique was used to randomly select 19 districts from a sample frame of 75 districts. In each selected district, the data collector retrieved a TB register of 8 months (January–August 2017) and systematically selected patients by fixed periodic interval. SPSS version 24.0 (IBM Corp, Amonk, NY, USA) was used to analyze the data. Results: This study included 53% (n = 301) males and 47% (n = 271) females, with mean age of 38 years (SD, ±18). Almost half of the participants were illiterate (51%, n = 289), and 64% (n = 365) were non-earning members of the family. In practice, most of the participants visit private providers (71%, n = 407), including private hospitals/clinics (44%) and traditional practitioners (27%; n = 153); 55% of participants visited their current doctor because of the clinic’s proximity to their residence. Of the participants, 82% (n = 469) were satisfied with TB care services and 85% (n = 488) said that they would recommend this clinic to others. Conclusion: PHCPs are preferred providers for individuals, which is consistent with findings of other studies. Though they are satisfied with TB care and services, interventions should be introduced to reduce the financial burden on the patient. Partnering PHCP is a way forward to ensure universal health coverage and better health outcomes of the population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-21
Author(s):  
Adamu Asma’u ◽  
Kehinde Joseph ◽  
Ango Mohammad ◽  
Bello Muhammad ◽  
Ali Muhammad ◽  
...  

Introduction:  Children are usually very vulnerable to such abuses by the traditional healers since consent is only obtained from the parents who believes in the benefits derived from traditional uvulectomy. Purpose: To assess the perception of traditional uvulectomy and associated factors among mothers of under five-year children (0-59 months) in Sokoto state.                           Methods: A cross sectional-study was conducted to assess the perception of traditional uvulectomy and associated factors among 320 mothers of under-five year children selected by multi stage sampling technique from 1st January-31st March 2021 in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A set of pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. Data was analysed using IBM® SPSS version 22 statistical package. Results: Majority 136(42.5%) of the respondents were between 25-34 years with a mean age of 29.9± 8.3 years. Most 304 (95.0) were Hausa’s and Muslims 315 (98.4). Fulltime house wives constituted 234(73.1%) of the respondents, while those with children between1-5 were 244(76.2%). Almost two-third (65.0%) of the respondents had inappropriate perception on traditional uvulectomy (TU). Two hundred and fifteen (67.2%) of the respondents believed traditional uvulectomy should be done for under five years’ children. Most (57.2%) of them perceived it is not necessary for government to come up with a law to abolish the practice of TU in the society. Majority (59.9%) of the respondents believed TU should be done for under five-year children as a tradition. Statistically significant association was observed between age, tribe and educational status of the respondents with perception of TU; (p=0.041), (p=0.002,) and (p = 0.018) respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study revealed a high proportion of the respondents with inappropriate perception of traditional uvulectomy and attributed most of the childhood illness to the uvula. This underscore the need for governments at all levels to intensify action on enlightenment campaign and education of the general public through mass media and in all health facilities across the state on the dangers of TU.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Md Zakaria Sarkar ◽  
AHM Ferdows Nur ◽  
Utpal Kumar Dutta ◽  
Muhammad Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Debabrota Roy ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing outcome after stapedotomy in patients with Otosclerosis. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out from July 2017 to January 2019 in National Institute of ENT, Unit V. About 22 patients with Otosclerosis were included in this study. Diagnosis of Otosclerosis was based on the history, medical status with Otoscopy, Tuning fork tests and Audiometric tests. We compiled data on the pre and post operative air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2 KHZ. The ABG was Calculated using AC and BC thresholds on the same audiogram. Post operative hearing gain was then Calculated from the ABG before the operation minus the ABG of the last follow up examination Results: In this study most of the cases were age group 14-30 years (72.7%), female (54.5%). Most common symptoms was progressive hearing loss, tinnitus (77.8%).The average preoperative hearing loss in this study was (AC) was 48.31±7.68. The average post opt. hearing (AC) at follow up was 28.95±10.30 with an average hearing gain of 15.40±8.53 dB which was significant. The average pre-operative ABG was 28.99 dB ± 8.10. The average post opt. ABG was analyzed at 1 follow up showed ABG 13.18±8.09 dB which was found to be significant. Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patient’s quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; April 2020; 26(1): 31-36


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