Knowledge and Attitudes of Pacific Islander Doctors and Medical Students to Childhood Hearing Loss and Hearing Services: Results of a Structured Questionnaire Survey in SAMOA

Kaspar, Annette; Pifeleti, Sione; Driscoll, Carlie; Potoi, Belladonna; Sam, Filipina Amosa-Lei

doi:10.1177/2333794x221126079

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Despite knowledge deficits, the participants in this study demonstrated predominantly positive attitudes towards childhood hearing loss. This finding resonates with prior studies by Moller et al [9], Yerraguntla et al [12], and Kaspar et al [23], highlighting the commitment exhibited by PCPs in the study to provide the best care and services to children with hearing loss.…”

Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 90%

Knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding childhood hearing loss in Malaysia

Mazlan,

Othman

2023

PLoS ONE

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Background Childhood hearing loss is a significant health concern. Early identification and intervention are essential to maximize hearing potential and developmental outcomes, with primary care physicians (PCPs) playing a pivotal role in this process. Objectives This study aimed to assess PCPs’ knowledge and attitudes toward childhood hearing loss, investigate the association between knowledge and attitudes, and examine the influence of demographic factors on PCPs’ knowledge and attitudes towards childhood hearing loss. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from 30 November 2017 to 30 July 2018 at three public health clinics in Malaysia, specifically in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Terengganu. A self-administered questionnaire assessed PCPs’ knowledge of general facts, diagnosis and intervention, and risk factors for childhood hearing loss. Additionally, the questionnaire evaluated PCPS’ attitudes across cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains regarding childhood hearing loss. Results Most participants lacked sufficient knowledge about childhood hearing loss, with 61.4% not seeing it as a major health issue. Almost half (45.9%) didn’t know that children with hearing loss can succeed in regular schools, and 78% were unaware that hearing aids don’t fully restore normal hearing. Participants’ awareness of risk factors varied widely, ranging from 24.6% to 90.3%. Despite these knowledge gaps, participants generally had positive attitudes towards childhood hearing loss, especially in cognitive and behavioural aspects. The study found a strong positive link between knowledge and attitudes, but demographic factors didn’t significantly affect them. Conclusions This study highlights the urgent need to address knowledge gaps among Malaysian PCPs regarding childhood hearing loss. While these knowledge gaps exist, PCPs’ positive attitudes form a foundation for developing targeted educational interventions to improve PCPs’ knowledge and skills in managing childhood hearing loss. Collaborative efforts are essential to translate these findings into meaningful improvements in paediatric audiological care.

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Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 90%

Knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding childhood hearing loss in Malaysia

Mazlan,

Othman

2023

PLoS ONE

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“…The second study similarly investigated awareness and perceptions towards childhood hearing impairment among urban and rural/remote female caregivers in Samoa, and also found high support for hearing health services for infants (98%) and school students (97.3%) (Kaspar et al, 2023). A third study investigated awareness and perceptions towards childhood hearing impairment among doctors and medical students in Samoa (Kaspar et al, 2022), and again the results showed positive support for the implementation of childhood hearing services (95.8%). In order to investigate health professional readiness to meet caregiver support for community-based ear and hearing health healthcare, further assessment of current and future health professionals’ attitudes towards such services in the Pacific Islands is desirable.…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 98%

“…The ENT Clinic of Samoa will continue to partner with the National University of Samoa School of Nursing for ongoing curriculum development that prepares future nurses for supporting ear and hearing healthcare. Curriculum development on childhood hearing health may be extended beyond the School of Nursing, and considered for other courses such as Inclusive Education (i.e., role of teachers for students with hearing difficulties) and/or the Masters of Public Health (i.e., integration of school-based hearing screening into the national PEN Fa’a Samoa public health initiative) (Kaspar et al, 2023).…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness and Perceptions of University Nursing Students in Samoa Towards Childhood Hearing Impairment and Hearing Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kaspar,

Samuelu-Matthes,

Driscoll

et al. 2023

SAGE Open Nursing

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Introduction Pacific Islands have among the highest prevalence of pediatric hearing impairment in the world. Given the limited availability of ear and hearing specialists in the Pacific region, the broader health professional community plays a vital role in the prevention of avoidable pediatric hearing impairment. Nurses emerge as one of the ideal candidates for task-sharing in the administration of ear and hearing care at the public and primary healthcare levels. Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness and perceptions of university nursing students in Samoa to pediatric hearing impairment and hearing healthcare. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional study design. A 10-item questionnaire was administered to university nursing students in Samoa ( N = 100). The statements aimed to evaluate perceptions towards childhood hearing impairment, as well as awareness of causal factors of permanent childhood hearing loss and available hearing healthcare. Participants were required to provide a response based on the five-point Likert scale “Strongly Agree,” “Agree,” “Neutral/Don’t know,” “Disagree,” and “Strongly Disagree.” Results Overall, 79% of participants responded “Disagree/Strongly Disagree” to the item “Hearing loss is not that important because it does not kill.” Overall, 52% of respondents were aware of hearing impairment as a public health concern in Samoa. Early identification and intervention services for newborns with hearing impairment are nonexistent in Samoa, and awareness was low for the importance of early detection (62%) and amplification suitability for babies (49%). Overall, awareness was also low for causal factors of permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions A borderline neutral/positive perception was found among our future nursing professionals to engage with pediatric hearing impairment in Samoa. Awareness regarding the causes of permanent childhood hearing impairment, as well as early identification and intervention services, could be integrated in the university curriculum.

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Knowledge and attitudes of female caregivers in Samoa to childhood hearing loss and hearing services

Kaspar

Figao

Driscoll

et al. 2023

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

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Knowledge and Attitudes of Pacific Islander Doctors and Medical Students to Childhood Hearing Loss and Hearing Services: Results of a Structured Questionnaire Survey in SAMOA

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding childhood hearing loss in Malaysia

Knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding childhood hearing loss in Malaysia

Awareness and Perceptions of University Nursing Students in Samoa Towards Childhood Hearing Impairment and Hearing Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Study

Knowledge and attitudes of female caregivers in Samoa to childhood hearing loss and hearing services

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