Audiology Unit, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah 72772, United Arab Emirates.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 72772, United Arab Emirates.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 8;18(12):6188. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18126188.
The successful implementation of pediatric audiology services depends on parental engagement and support. It is essential to analyze the gaps in knowledge level and attitude of the parents in United Arab Emirates (UAE), towards pediatric hearing loss and pediatric audiology services. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of parents in Sharjah, UAE.A cross-sectional survey was administered to 295 parents in a tertiary care hospital setting. The self-reported questionnaire consisted of 26 items. 34.2% of the parents ascertaining good knowledge and 65.8% reported poor knowledge regarding the various factors related to the childhood hearing loss. Further, 86.2% of parents reported positive attitudes regarding accessing pediatric audiology services. A significant association was found between age groups, educational status, and knowledge levels. The study highlights the poor knowledge demonstrated by parents in the UAE regarding hearing loss and its associated risk factors. Findings outline the critical need in the region to enhance parental awareness. More health promotion activities and community outreach campaigns are necessary to increase the uptake of pediatric audiology services in the region.
儿科听力学服务的成功实施取决于家长的参与和支持。分析阿联酋（UAE）父母对儿童听力损失和儿科听力学服务的知识水平和态度差距至关重要。本研究旨在评估阿联酋沙迦地区父母的知识和态度。在一家三级保健医院环境中对 295 名父母进行了横断面调查。自我报告的问卷由 26 个项目组成。34.2%的父母确定具有良好的知识，而 65.8%的父母报告在与儿童听力损失相关的各种因素方面知识匮乏。此外，86.2%的父母表示对获得儿科听力学服务的态度积极。研究发现，年龄组、教育程度和知识水平之间存在显著关联。该研究强调了阿联酋父母在听力损失及其相关风险因素方面表现出的知识匮乏。研究结果表明，该地区迫切需要提高家长的意识。需要开展更多的健康促进活动和社区外展活动，以增加该地区对儿科听力学服务的接受度。
