Hearing health in Lesotho: An investigation into knowledge, understanding and attitude towards hearing loss
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universal Journal of Public Health
Abstract
This study investigated hearing health in
Lesotho based on the knowledge, understanding and
attitudes of Basotho people in tertiary institutions towards
hearing loss and hearing aid users. The Health Belief
Model framed the study. Data generation in the study was
achieved through a mixed method approach using both a
closed-ended structured questionnaire administered to 272
participants and a semi-structured interview with 6
respondents who were randomly selected from the 272
participants who responded to the closed-ended
questionnaire. Data generated were analysed using
descriptive (frequency count, simple percentage, mean and
standard deviation), and inferential statistics (Chi-square)
at pā<ā0.05. Also, a thematic analysis was used to analyse
the transcribed semi-structured interviews. The findings
showed that participants had a good understanding and
knowledge of hearing health in relation to the implications
of excessive noise and wax in the ear which may lead to
hearing difficulties, as well as the need for ear checks at
accredited ear clinics/centres; however, they still engage in
risky hearing healthcare behaviours. Participants also had a
higher negative attitude towards hearing loss as a condition
but necessarily towards individuals with hearing loss. An
association was identified between knowledge about
hearing health and hearing in the study. Another
association was recorded between gender and attitude
towards persons with hearing loss and hearing aid users.
Appropriate recommendations were made with respect to
the findings
Description
This study being anchored on the framework of HBM, and the
objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge,
understanding and attitude towards persons with hearing
loss and hearing aid users in Lesotho.
Keywords
Hearing health, Hearing loss, Hearing aid users, Hearing healthcare centres, Namibia, University of Namibia