Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Among Nurses Towards Newborn Hearing Screening in India

Abstract

Background and objectives: Multidisciplinary team approach can act as the major facilitator for the successful implementation of newborn hearing screening. Nurses can act as a good educator for the parents due to their close association. Therefore, the need was felt to explore the knowledge, attitudes and existing practices towards newborn hearing screening. Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out using the convenient sampling in a tertiary hospital to assess knowledge, attitude and practices. Results: The familiarity about newborn hearing screening was relatively low, also there was lack of surety regarding the ideal time for receiving additional testing for the newborns not passing the screening. More than 90% were positive about screening all newborns for hearing loss at the same time 40% felt that it leads to excessive anxiety and concerns. Conclusion: The role played by nurses include educating parents, explaining parents about impact of hearing loss, follow-up and facilitator for screening process as team member. Nurses showed positive attitude while at the same time emphasized need to have additional information.