IN FOCUS: Explore the future of profession - 2022
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/25599
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Item Awareness of noise-induced hearing loss and usage of hearing protective devices among 18 to 35 years old residents in Puttalam, Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2022) Fathima, I.F.; Ileperuma, L.D.Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common and preventable type of hearing loss. Exposure to NIHL contributes to causing hypertension, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and annoyance in addition to hearing loss. Preventive measures are available to mitigate such adverse effects. Implementing such preventive measures is desirable but often not achieved in our community. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of noise-induced hearing loss and usage of hearing protective devices among 18 to 35-year-old residents in Puttalam Sri Lanka. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A self-administered web-based questionnaire, consisting of 4 sections focusing on demographic details of participants; awareness of Noise-induced Hearing Loss; noise, exposure, and usage of hearing protective devices were used to collect data from the target population. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit voluntary participants for this study. The gathered data were analyzed quantitatively. Results: 100 participants (46 males, 54 female) aged between 18 – 35 years from Puttalam participated in this study. Hearing loss was regarded as a significant issue by 48% of participants of whom 63% were females and 37% were males. The study group included 42% of graduates and 61% of the total were employed. Regarding noise-induced hearing loss, 95% of participants believed that exposure to loud noise could cause hearing loss. 52% of participants felt that all age groups were at risk of NIHL. Around 53% of participants reported that they had used hearing protective devices. Conclusion: The results of this study show the need for action by the relevant authorities to enhance individuals’ knowledge of noise-induced hearing loss and recommend the usage of hearing protective devices. There is insufficient awareness regarding using hearing protective devices in a noisy environment. This study indicates the potential need for education within the population of Puttalam.Item Self-ear cleaning and associated risk of ear injuries and ear related symptoms among students in the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2022) Ranathunaga, R.M.L.C; Ileperuma, L.D.Background: Self-ear cleaning (SEC) is recognized as a common habit where it tends to remain a hidden healthcare complication with respect to its potential ability to compromise the integrity of the ear by causing damage to the hearing apparatus. This has high prevalence rates among low- and middle-income countries compared to high income countries. Objectives: To determine prevalence, practices and associated risk of ear injuries and ear related symptoms following SEC among students in the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted within the University of Kelaniya (six faculties and one institute). The target population indicated was 11,672 where the purposive sampling technique was utilized to select participants. Data was collected from 170 internal undergraduate students with Sri Lankan nationality, regardless of their academic year of study. An online self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Results: Prevalence of SEC was 98.8% among all students and all faculties/institute presented with a 100% prevalence rate except in the Faculty of Medicine (96.5%). The majority perceived SEC to be beneficial and a family influence regarding encouragement of the practice was observed. The commonest object used was cotton buds to self-clean ears and the majority of participants had engaged in this practice between 1-5 years. Ear wax was the commonest reason given to engage with SEC. 7.1% of the students reported ear injuries caused by forceful use of various objects to self-clean ears. Overall, no association was observed between SEC and ear injuries as well as with SEC and ear related symptoms. Nonetheless, a statistically significant association was obtained with each presenting ear, ear itchiness, feeling fullness of the ear after SEC (p=0.006, 0.008, 0.031) as well as with experiencing earache and feeling fullness of the ear with use of cotton buds (p=0.024, 0.021). Conclusion: SEC has a potential to cause damage to the ear structure. Large scale awareness programmes are recommended to be undertake from the lowest to the highest education levels due to a lack of knowledge presented regarding this habit.Item Experiences of mothers of children with hearing loss-a qualitative analysis(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2022) Madushani, K.D. I; Ileperuma, L.D.Background: If the professional can determine what the mother thinks, feels and how to adapt to the child's condition, it can predict how effectively the treatments can be implemented. This study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers of children with permanent hearing loss. This included which coping strategies were used throughout their experience to adapt individually to the diagnosis of children's hearing loss and support and services received to adapt to the diagnosis were studied. Methods: This was a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study population was fifteen mothers of children with permanent childhood hearing loss (PCHL). Three mothers of children with PCHL were recruited for the pilot study and twelve mothers were recruited in the main study. Mothers of children with other co-existing impairments such as cognitive, physical disabilities and mothers with hearing impairment were excluded from the study. Results: The study revealed six major themes: initial thoughts, initial reactions, current challenges, coping strategies, expectations, and support and services received. Additionally, six subthemes also emerged, in which four types of coping strategies were identified: problem-focus, emotional-focus, social support and religious focus. Two subthemes were identified under the support and services received: satisfied experiences and dissatisfied experiences. Conclusions: Parental involvement is a vital part of the management process of children with disabilities. Based on the mother's positive adaptation to the child’s condition, parental involvement in the children can be judged. The themes identified explained the experiences of mothers' adaptation to the child’s hearing loss and the support and services received for mothers to adapt to the child's hearing loss. If professionals understand what mothers are thinking and feeling, it follows that they will be able to work more effectively in their treatment collaborations with mothers of children with hearing loss.