Authors:Alta Kritzinger, Elise van Rooyen, Anne-Marie Bergh First page: 7 Abstract: Available evidence of oral sensorimotor interventions for small neonates is not strong. Evidence of interventions for sick term neonates is largely lacking. Studies are limited by risk of bias and inconsistency. Evidence of interventions relying on a single stimulation technique only appears to be low to very low. Ongoing research is required.Contribution: We describe a five-component neonatal swallowing and breastfeeding intervention programme embedded in the practice of kangaroo mother care (KMC). Drawing on oropharyngeal physiology, neonatology, neurodevelopmental care, breastfeeding- and KMC science, the programme is the product of collaboration between a speech-language therapist and a medical doctor, and their team. Its implementation is dependent on coaching mothers and the neonatal care team. Researchers are invited to determine outcomes of the programme. PubDate: 2024-08-09 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1055 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Divhanani Sithi, Samantha M. Govender, Thembelihle S. Ntuli First page: 9 Abstract: Background: There is a noticeable gap in access to audiology services in South Africa, and the gap is intensified in rural areas. Often, primary healthcare (PHC) facilities have an unequal ratio of audiologists to patients in need. Telehealth can expand the range of hearing healthcare services.Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether, for infants, tele-diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) assessment results conducted within a mobile clinic van are comparable to face-to-face diagnostic ABR results in rural Winterveldt, Pretoria North, South Africa.Method: The study utilised a quantitative, prospective cross-sectional comparative within-subject design. Each participant received both face-to-face and mobile tele-diagnostic ABR tests, which were then compared to evaluate the feasibility of mobile tele-diagnostic ABR testing. The Student’s t-test was used to determine whether there was a difference between face-to-face and tele-diagnostic tests, and Bland -Altman plots were used to assess the level of agreement between the ABR testing results.Results: There was a strong correlation (p < 0.001) between face-to-face and mobile tele-diagnostic ABR test results for both neurological and audiological ABR tests. The study found that there was no statistical significance between face-to-face and tele-diagnostic ABR measures; additionally, the results were within clinically acceptable and normative measures.Conclusion: Tele-diagnostic ABR offered within a mobile clinic van is feasible as it produces similar and clinically acceptable results when compared to the traditional assessment method.Contribution: This feasibility study is a positive indicator that tele-diagnostic ABR testing through a mobile clinic van may be considered to accelerate the delivery of hearing healthcare services to the infant population in rural communities. PubDate: 2024-07-31 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1020 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Desiree C. John, Catharina J. Uys, Michelle Pascoe First page: 9 Abstract: Background: South African children from low-income households are at higher risk of cognitive-linguistic difficulties because of multiple risk factors. Early language stimulation minimises the effects of risk factors and prepares children for literacy and learning. Understanding caregivers’ perceptions of language stimulation is important because perceptions shape practices, which determine child language outcomes.Objectives: This study explored the existing perceptions of language stimulation among 15 isiZulu-speaking caregivers from KwaDabeka township.Method: A qualitative, descriptive research design was adopted and the caregivers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The NVivo software programme supported the inductive, thematic analysis of the data.Results: Although the caregivers held positive perceptions of language stimulation, their perceptions of benefit focussed on meeting children’s basic physiological needs with less reference to the long-term benefits for literacy, employment and social integration. Providing language models, watching television, singing songs, and reading books were perceived to be examples of language-stimulating activities and techniques. The caregivers expressed a need to improve their knowledge of language stimulation and queried how they could be supported to achieve this outcome.Conclusion: This group of caregivers needed support to increase their awareness of the long-term benefits of language stimulation and their knowledge and use of evidence-based activities, stimuli and facilitation techniques.Contribution: Caregivers’ existing perceptions could serve as a barrier to the effective language stimulation of children from low-income households in South Africa. PubDate: 2024-07-25 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1028 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Maria N. du Toit, Renata Eccles, Kailin Westwood, Marien A. Graham, Jeannie van der Linde First page: 9 Abstract: Background: Outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, exacerbate barriers to accessing early childhood developmental care. Tele-assessment may serve as an innovative approach to developmental monitoring to overcome service delivery amidst challenging circumstances. It is vital to collect caregivers’ perspectives of this potential service delivery method to inform clinical decision making.Objectives: This study aimed to determine caregivers’ perspectives of interview-based early developmental tele-assessment in a South African context.Method: Thirty caregivers of children (aged birth – 36 months) completed a caregiver-report developmental assessment via a telecommunications platform, as well as an online questionnaire probing their perspectives on the tele-assessment.Results: Most participants (96.7%, n = 29 out of 30) rated their overall experience of the tele-assessment as positive; however, 53.8% (n = 14 out of 26 that answered the question) indicated that they would additionally still prefer in-person assessment.Conclusion: Tele-assessment appears to be a viable approach for caregivers to access developmental care during circumstances such as COVID-19.Contribution: This study provided valuable insight into a novel approach using interview-based early developmental tele-assessment and the perspectives of caregivers thereof. PubDate: 2024-07-23 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1037 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Husna Mahomed, Seema Panday First page: 10 Abstract: Background: Young adults are exposed to high noise levels in leisure venues, which increases their risk of hearing loss, and can affect their quality of life.Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the young adults’ awareness, attitudes and perceptions towards leisure noise at a university in South Africa.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design with quantitative methods of data was considered for this study. Students from first to fourth years in the Education Department of a local university in Durban, South Africa, who were aged 18 years old – 25 years old were invited to participate in an online survey.Results: Of the 462 participants, most had a general awareness on noise and hearing loss but lacked knowledge on the negative effect of loud noise, with 95.2% using personal listening devices, followed by visiting restaurants and gyms, and 48.3% being unsure if noise can damage hearing permanently. They were unaware of methods to reduce their exposure to noise. A significant relationship between awareness of noise and attitudes (p = 0.029) indicated that the higher the level of awareness regarding leisure noise, the better their attitude and behaviour, thus the lower the risk of hearing loss.Conclusion: The results highlight the need for implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) noise regulations and providing education for this age group to prevent irreversible hearing loss through exposure to leisure noise.Contribution: A national study is recommended to increase research evidence. PubDate: 2024-06-28 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1040 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Ahmad A. Alanazi, Mohammed F. ALHarbi, Abrar M. AlMutairi, Maryam A. AlRashied, Reham Abed First page: 10 Abstract: Background: Healthcare professionals are required to work effectively together to deliver the best healthcare services. Without awareness of other healthcare professionals’ roles and responsibilities, interprofessional practice (IPP) cannot be optimally achieved.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals’ awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) services in Saudi Arabia.Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of two parts. The content of a 20-item paper questionnaire was firstly validated. The full-scale study addressed the aim through distributing questionnaire items among potential participants. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used.Results: A total of 403 participants completed the questionnaires for the main study. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (84.1%), aged 18 years – 40 years (84.8%) years, and lived in Riyadh region (76.2%). Allied health professionals (40.2%), physicians (22.6%), nursing (15.4%) and dentistry (11.2%) were the main group of participants working mainly at governmental hospitals (69.2%). Of the total participants, 92.6% and 95.3% reported being fully aware of the services provided by audiologists and SLPs, respectively. No statistically significant association between the specialty of participants and their familiarity with the scope of practice for SLPs and audiologists was determined.Conclusion: Our study examined healthcare professionals’ awareness of audiology and SLP services and revealed a high level of awareness.Contribution: The existed level of awareness is expected to facilitate IPP and enhance the quality of care. Still, awareness campaigns about audiology and SLP services are needed to address the existing lack of knowledge among some healthcare professionals. PubDate: 2024-06-07 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1043 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Liepollo Ntlhakana, Aadilah Alli First page: 10 Abstract: Background: Online learning has been used to improve students’ learning experiences and to allow students to engage with their own learning in various spaces. However, there is a dearth of literature on students’ experiences with online learning in the field of audiology.Objectives: This study aimed to describe the conditions of online learning, explore the challenges and benefits of online learning and determine strategies that students employ while engaging with online learning.Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Audiology students from the second to the fourth year participated in the study. Qualitative data were collected online via MS Teams using a semi-structured interview schedule with the participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the participants’ interviews.Results: Most of our participants were females in their fourth year of study. The students accessed the online learning platforms procured by the university from their homes, with reported benefits such as the flexibility and independence of learning, and time and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as limited internet connectivity, issues with time management and inconsistent power supply restricted positive experiences with online learning.Conclusion: The online learning benefits that were reported by the students and the compensatory strategies they employed facilitated self-regulated learning. The study’s findings highlighted the need for continuous checking-in with students regarding their experiences with the learning approaches intended to improve engagement with their courses. These results could be used as a guide for curriculum planning that is student-focused.Contribution: Students’ experiences explored in our study provided a guide for online learning approaches that were suitable for audiology students. Student-centred and self-regulated learning practices were highlighted and future studies may further explore these frameworks and theories. PubDate: 2024-05-22 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1012 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Jade Berson, Skye N. Adams First page: 12 Abstract: Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a profoundly negative impact on people all over the world, particularly those with disabilities such as autism. However, there are gaps in research understanding the impact of COVID-19 on this population and the support required.Aim: To explore the evidence available on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of children with autism.Method: A scoping review methodology using the Arksey and O’Malley framework was employed. Five electronic databases from March 2020 to December 2022 were reviewed. Two thousand two hundred and six articles were retrieved with primary search terms: caregivers (population), autism (diagnosis) and COVID-19 (context). Following the screening of titles, abstracts and articles, 36 articles were included in the final review. Thematic and content qualitative analysis was completed.Results: Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guided the reporting of the findings. Three main themes were identified: (1) caregiver’s mental health and wellbeing, (2) response to remote health care and support and (3) caregiver resilience.Conclusion: The pandemic affected children with autism and their families regarding changes in routine, difficulties with support and emotional states. However, little research has been conducted on the impact in upper-middle-income countries such as South Africa.Contribution: The findings from this review carry practical implications that extend beyond the pandemic, such as political instability or natural disasters that may present similar stressors for children with autism and their families. PubDate: 2024-07-18 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1017 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Sakhile Nkosi, Vuyelwa Peter, Jessica Paken First page: 13 Abstract: Background: South Africa shows a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes with reported association with auditory dysfunction.Objectives: To describe the audiological profile of adults with this metabolic condition.Method: Employing a descriptive research design, 35 individuals with type 2 diabetes, selected through purposive sampling, underwent a basic audiological assessment in addition to extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing and neurological auditory brainstem response (ABR) test.Results: This study revealed a 31.4% prevalence of hearing loss with 81.8% being sensorineural in nature. Poor hearing thresholds were observed at 16 kHz (n = 19; 54.3%), 18 kHz (n = 24; 68.6%) and 20 kHz (n = 30; 85.7%) in the right ear and at 16 kHz (n = 20; 57.1%), 18 kHz (n = 24; 68.6%) and 20 kHz (n = 30; 85.7%) in the left ear. Absent DPOAEs were observed at 6 kHz (n = 20; 51.7%) and 8 kHz (n = 24; 68.6%) in the right ear and at 6 kHz (n = 17; 48.6%) and 8 kHz (n = 29; 82.9%) in the left ear, possibly indicating that type 2 diabetes specifically targets higher frequency hearing. The ABR results revealed a delayed absolute latency of wave III bilaterally (right ear –69%; left ear – 51%), suggesting an impact of this metabolic disease on retro-cochlear pathways.Conclusion: Hearing loss should be recognised as a comorbidity accompanying type 2 diabetes, which indicates the need for routine comprehensive audiological assessments to facilitate early detection and intervention.Contribution: The present findings have implications for audiology clinical protocols; diabetes related health policies and patient education. PubDate: 2024-07-31 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1035 Issue No:Vol. 71, No. 1 (2024)
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