Prevalência de perda auditiva e fatores associados em escolares da rede pública municipal de Natal/RN

Abstract

Introduction: Hearing is fundamental for the development of language and learning, social interaction, acquisition of knowledge and makes it possible for the individual to transmit thoughts and feelings. Early prevention, identification and intervention of auditory changes are essential because of their relevance to language and learning aspects and to reduce costs with the consequences of hearing impairment. Objective: To analyze the prevalence of hearing impairment in schoolchildren in the city of Natal / RN and its associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the analysis of children and adolescents of primary and secondary education, male and female, enrolled in public schools in the city of Natal-RN, with evaluation by meatoscopy, audiometric screening with audiometry difficulty ear and earache. The comparative analysis of the data was performed using Chi-square, Fisher's Exact and Prevalence Ratio tests, considering a significance of 5%. The results were exactly the same in the bivariate analysis, more of a multivariate analysis by Poisson regression using the Wald test with the same robust one. A concordance analysis, Kappa (95% CI) was performed between the results of the evaluation, the auditory audit of the parents, the students and the meatoscopy result. Results: The prevalence of hearing loss among students aged 6 to 17 years (10.76 ± 2.81) was 16% (11.7% -21.4%); 16% reported not hearing well, 18.9% felt pain and 26.1% had altered carnoscopy. 71.26% of the participants belonged to economic classes A-B-C. The prevalence of hearing impairment is higher among schoolchildren who refer to audiometry and auditory sclerosis, among children aged 6 to 12 years and of airway type (p <0.05). Airway infection (RP = 3.37 CI 95% 1.48-7.68) was recognized as a risk factor associated with hearing loss, remaining significant in the multivariate model (PR = 6.79 95% CI 1.98-23 26 p-value = 0.002). The Kappa index indicates agreement in some situations evaluated. Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing loss in schoolchildren in the city of Natal is higher than that reported in other studies conducted in Brazil for this age group, which shows the need for phonoaudiological attention linked to the School Health Program, in order to systematize actions of hearing health promotion for this population in the city of Natal-RN.