Systematic review of knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices for newborn hearing screening among healthcare professionals

Rohit Ravi; Dhanshree R Gunjawate; Krishna Yerraguntla; Bellur Rajashekhar

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.11.004

Systematic review of knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices for newborn hearing screening among healthcare professionals

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Jan:104:138-144. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.11.004. Epub 2017 Nov 9.

Authors

Rohit Ravi¹, Dhanshree R Gunjawate², Krishna Yerraguntla³, Bellur Rajashekhar³

Affiliations

¹ Department. of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: rohitravi94@gmail.com.
² Department of Audiology & SLP, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
³ Department. of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

PMID: 29287854
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.11.004

Abstract

Introduction: The success of newborn hearing screening programs lies in the timely identification, diagnosis, and management of children with hearing loss accomplished via a multidisciplinary newborn hearing screening (NHS) team. The team is typically comprised of various healthcare professionals who act as decision makers as well as facilitators for different stages in the screening process. Team members' knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices for early hearing detection and intervention programs are critical for success and prevention of loss to follow up. In this context, it becomes crucial to understand their knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices for towards newborn hearing screening.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted on the following databases; PubMed/Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Cochrane Library. This search was carried out using various keywords such as practitioners, newborn hearing screening, knowledge, attitudes, and practices in different combinations. The review was conducted based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement guidelines.

Results: A total of 271 hits were obtained of which 20 articles were found suitable for inclusion in the final review. Overall, similar results were found regarding team members' knowledge of NHS programs, regardless of country of origin. Similarly, attitudes toward NHS programs were positive. Team members' experiences with NHS programs varied from country-to-country and across healthcare professionals. Results consistently showed gaps in team members' knowledge suggesting the need for outreach and professional education programs on NHS.

Conclusion: NHS teams members from different countries, healthcare systems, and early hearing detection and intervention programs show gaps in critical knowledge warranting outreach and educational programs.

Keywords: Attitude; Healthcare professionals; Knowledge; Newborn hearing screening; Practices; Systematic review.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Child
Databases, Factual
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Personnel
Hearing Loss / diagnosis*
Hearing Tests
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Neonatal Screening / methods*