Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hearing impairment among Children attending Birhanzare Primary School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Hearing impairment is the most prevalent sensory disability globally and a condition of growing concern with around 5.3% of the population having disabling hearing loss. It has significant impacts on the individual and society. The problem is even greater for children as hearing is the main source for language, speech, and cognitive developments. Methods: A school based cross-sectional study at an elementary school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was conducted in May 2018. One hundred and ten students from grades 1–5 were enrolled in the study. A structured questionnaire filled by parents/caregivers. Audiometric testing and otoscopic examinations were used to determine hearing impairment and abnormal otoscopic findings respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive and basic statistical analysis was applied. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for hearing impairment. Statistical significance was declared at p values < 0.05. Results: A total of 106 students (27.4% male and 72.6% female) were enrolled in the study. Abnormal otoscopic findings were observed among 30.2% of the participants, with wax being the commonest abnormality observed in twenty-two point eight (22.8%), pus discharge and dull tympanic membrane in 4%, foreign bodies were found in 3 of the participating students (2.8%). The prevalence of disabling hearing impairment in this study (> 25dB on the better hearing ear), was 34% where the majority (32.1%) had mild hearing impairment. Abnormal otoscopic finding showed significant association with hearing impairment. Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing impairment in our study is higher than WHO and other regional estimates. Given the high prevalence of HI, availability of management options for mild HI, and its underlying causes, early hearing screening programs in children should be integrated into existing systems such as the Ethiopian school health program as well as early childhood growth and development monitoring entry points.