Paediatric hearing loss in rural Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to generate population-based data on the prevalence and causes of hearing loss in rural Pakistani children. A community screening programme was utilized to identify and evaluate the hearing impaired.

METHODS

The study was performed in conjunction with the Ministry of Population Welfare in Sialkot District, Punjab Province. School-aged children between the ages of 5 and 15 years were screened and examined for hearing impairment according to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. Case-control analysis of audiometric, physical examination, and risk factors for hearing loss were performed, followed by chi-square analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 607 children comprised the study population, with an overall point prevalence of hearing impairment of 7.9%. Fifty percent of all hearing loss was conductive in nature, amenable to either medical or surgical therapy. The risk factors most associated with conductive hearing loss were otorrhea and multiple ear infections greater than 5. In cases of severe hearing loss, 70% were the result of consanguinous marriages. Almost no cases of hearing loss were attributable to measles, mumps, rubella, and the TORCH infections.

CONCLUSION

This study has generated some badly needed population-based data on the magnitude of the problem of hearing loss in rural Pakistan. It is hoped that the results of this work will stress the importance of hearing health in Pakistan and to encourage other professionals to pursue similar projects.