Meshesha Alene, Fröschl Uta, Kebede Michael, Biratu Tolesa Diriba, Worku Yoseph, Hunduma Fufa
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
BMJ Open. 2025 Jan 2;15(1):e086288. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086288.
To assess the prevalence and associated factors of hearing loss in Ethiopia, considering socioeconomic conditions, regional variations and age-related impacts.
Nationwide cross-sectional survey.
Data were collected from 2 February to 10 June 2023, covering all regions of Ethiopia except Tigray (due to security concerns).
A sample of 3000 households and 7061 individuals aged 5 years and above was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Eligible participants had resided in the area for at least 6 months. Exclusions included visitors, critically ill individuals and those with communication difficulties.
Hearing loss was defined as an average hearing threshold >20 dB in the better ear at frequencies of 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz, measured using pure-tone audiometry. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with hearing loss.
The overall prevalence of hearing loss among individuals aged 5+ years was 18.4%. The prevalence was 8.1% among children aged 5-14 years and 73.7% among adults aged 60+ years. Factors significantly associated with hearing loss included being over 60 years old (adjusted OR (AOR)=51.41; 95% CI 36.95, 71.53), having no formal education (AOR=2.12; 95% CI 1.47, 3.08), ear discharge (AOR=3.01; 95% CI 2.07, 4.38), wax presence (AOR=1.92; 95% CI 1.53, 2.40), and tympanic membrane abnormality (AOR=17.17; 95% CI 12.27, 24.02). Participants from the Harari (AOR=3.25; 95% CI 1.85, 5.72) and Somali (AOR=2.37; 95% CI 1.49, 3.77) regions were more likely to experience hearing loss compared with those from other regions.
Hearing loss is highly prevalent in Ethiopia, influenced by both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Regional disparities in hearing loss suggest a need for targeted interventions. Evidence-based policies and strategies are essential to reduce ear diseases, improve hearing care services, and address disparities in hearing health across regions.
考虑社会经济状况、地区差异和年龄相关影响，评估埃塞俄比亚听力损失的患病率及相关因素。
全国性横断面调查。
数据收集于2023年2月2日至6月10日，涵盖埃塞俄比亚除提格雷（因安全问题）以外的所有地区。
采用多阶段抽样程序选取了3000户家庭和7061名5岁及以上的个体作为样本。符合条件的参与者在该地区居住至少6个月。排除对象包括访客、危重症患者和有沟通障碍者。
听力损失定义为使用纯音听力计在0.5kHz、1kHz、2kHz和4kHz频率下较好耳的平均听力阈值>20dB。进行逻辑回归分析以确定与听力损失相关的因素。
5岁及以上个体的听力损失总体患病率为18.4%。5至14岁儿童的患病率为8.1%，60岁及以上成年人的患病率为73.7%。与听力损失显著相关的因素包括年龄超过60岁（调整后的比值比（AOR）=51.41；95%置信区间36.95，71.53）、未接受过正规教育（AOR=2.12；95%置信区间1.47，3.08）、耳部流脓（AOR=3.01；95%置信区间2.07，4.38）、有耵聍（AOR=1.92；95%置信区间1.53，2.40）以及鼓膜异常（AOR=17.17；95%置信区间12.27，24.02）。与其他地区的参与者相比，来自哈拉里（AOR=3.25；95%置信区间1.85, 5.72）和索马里（AOR=2.37；95%置信区间1.49，3.77）地区的参与者更有可能出现听力损失。
听力损失在埃塞俄比亚非常普遍，受可改变和不可改变因素的影响。听力损失的地区差异表明需要有针对性的干预措施。基于证据的政策和策略对于减少耳部疾病、改善听力保健服务以及解决各地区听力健康差异至关重要。
