Prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants attending child welfare clinics in the Solomon Islands

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants in the Solomon Islands, in order to recommend an Infant Ear and Hearing Program that would be suitable to the Pacific Island context. Methods: Ear examinations and the JCIH Risk-Factor Questionnaire were administered to 288 infants attending Child Welfare Clinics in the Solomon Islands. Results: Overall, 150 infants (52.084%) presented with bilateral normal ear examinations and no risk-factors for SNHL. There were 73 infants (25.34%) with ear pathology in at least one ear, 13 (4.5%) of whom required referral to the ENT Clinic for medical management. The most common pathology was otitis media with effusion (OME) (21.87%). Infants aged 7-12 months were significantly more likely to present with OME (

Prevalence of ear disease and associated hearing loss among primary school students in the Solomon Islands: otitis media still a major public health issue

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of otitis media and associated hearing loss among primary school students in the Solomon Islands.A total of 604 primary school students (280 males, 324 females) aged 4-15 years were assessed in two primary schools (government, nongovernment) in the capital city Honiara. School-based ear examinations were performed, including otoscopy and tuning-fork tests. Students were referred to the ENT Clinic for medical intervention and/or pure-tone audiometry assessment.A total of 342 students (56.6%) did not pass their ear examination, with a significantly higher fail rate among younger students (p

Parental knowledge and attitudes to childhood hearing loss and hearing services in the Solomon Islands

An understanding of parental knowledge and attitudes towards childhood hearing loss is essential to the successful implementation of audiology services. The present study aimed to investigate parental knowledge and attitudes among parents in the Solomon Islands.A total of 100 mothers and 50 fathers were administered a questionnaire via semi-structured interviews.Highest parental awareness of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was noted for otitis media (94%), noise exposure (87.3%), and family history (72.7%). The highest parental awareness concerning public health initiatives to reduce/prevent otitis media was noted for routine childhood immunizations (84%) and breast-feeding (76%). Higher rates of knowledge in fathers than in mothers included otitis media (p\ua0=\ua00.038), noise exposure (p\ua0=\ua00.007), and breast-feeding (p\ua0=\ua00.031). Approximately half of parents (56%) agreed that curses may cause hearing loss. Overall parental responses showed positive support for infant hearing screening programs (96%) and school-based ear and hearing health examinations (99.3%).High levels of parental readiness and support for childhood hearing services in the Solomon Islands was evident. Knowledge of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was highest for otitis media, noise exposure, and family history. Knowledge and attitudes of fathers to childhood hearing loss and hearing services was either the same or better than that of mothers