dc.contributor.advisor |
Thorne, P |
en |
dc.contributor.advisor |
Nosa, V |
en |
dc.contributor.advisor |
Holt, E |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Potter, Melanie |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2017-10-11T01:50:43Z |
en |
dc.date.issued |
2017 |
en |
dc.identifier.uri |
https://hdl.handle.net/2292/35960 |
en |
dc.description |
Full text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only. |
en |
dc.description.abstract |
Background: Hearing loss and otitis media are significant global health issues that can have adverse effects on language, cognitive, emotional and academic development in children. Across the Pacific Island nations, limited epidemiological data and prevalence estimates suggest a high burden of hearing loss and otitis media, yet few services exist for prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation. The purpose of this research was to determine the point prevalence of otitis media and hearing loss in the schoolchildren population in Niue and use these data to identify ear and hearing services which would benefit this population. Methods: Otoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry were undertaken on schoolchildren attending Niue Primary School and Niue High School. The Niue Primary School screening was conducted as part of the Counties Manukau District Health Board visiting specialists trip to Niue in May/June 2016 and the Niue High School testing took place during a second visit through the University of Auckland in September 2016. Results from 352 schoolchildren (83.6% of total schoolchildren population), aged 4 to 18 years, were analysed using quantitative statistical methods. Results: The point prevalence of type Blow tympanograms indicative of otitis media with effusion in Niue Primary School students and Niue High School students was 4.81% and 2.04% respectively. The proportion of different tympanogram types and wax referrals did not differ significantly by gender, although an age effect was observed for both wax referrals and type Blow, C and Ad tympanograms (p < 0.05). Niue Primary School students had a point prevalence of 6.06% for hearing loss (defined as >25 dBHL across four frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) and Niue High School students a prevalence of 5.41%. There was no significant gender or age effect (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Relative to other Pacific Island nations and based predominately on estimates, it appears that schoolchildren in Niue have more favourable ear and hearing health. The burden of hearing loss and ear disease is potentially manageable at the local service level for basic clinical procedures provided equipment and ear nurse specialist training can be accessed with ongoing medical officer support. As a small population, external services are required to meet advanced treatment and rehabilitation needs. |
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dc.publisher |
ResearchSpace@Auckland |
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dc.relation.ispartof |
Masters Thesis - University of Auckland |
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dc.relation.isreferencedby |
UoA99265046002602091 |
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dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
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dc.rights |
Restricted Item. Available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland. |
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dc.rights.uri |
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm |
en |
dc.rights.uri |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/nz/ |
en |
dc.title |
Ear and Hearing Health of Schoolchildren in Niue |
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dc.type |
Thesis |
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thesis.degree.discipline |
Audiology |
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thesis.degree.grantor |
The University of Auckland |
en |
thesis.degree.level |
Masters |
en |
dc.rights.holder |
Copyright: The author |
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pubs.elements-id |
690099 |
en |
pubs.record-created-at-source-date |
2017-10-11 |
en |
dc.identifier.wikidata |
Q112934710 |
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