TITLE:
Parental Perceptions and Attitudes toward Childhood Hearing Health in N’Djamena, Chad
AUTHORS:
Aboubakar Assidick Taoussi, Khadidja Adoum Attimer, Aziz Ndolé
KEYWORDS:
Childhood Hearing Loss, Parental Attitudes, Hearing Screening, Health Education, Inclusive Education, Chad
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery,
Vol.14 No.6,
November
19,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Childhood hearing loss represents a major yet underexplored public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. Parents play a key role in early detection and management; however, their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward pediatric hearing health remain poorly understood in Chad. Objective: To assess parental knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes regarding childhood hearing health in N’Djamena, in order to identify barriers to early detection and access to care. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 346 parents of children aged 0 - 11 years, selected through stratified random sampling across the ten districts of N’Djamena. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analyses included frequencies and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: Of the 346 participants, 91.9% reported awareness of childhood hearing loss. However, knowledge of specific risk factors and early warning signs was limited. Mothers more frequently identified behavioral warning signs (57.2% vs. 31.6% among fathers, p Conclusion: Despite high overall awareness of childhood hearing loss, substantial gaps persist in recognizing subtle risk factors and early symptoms, as well as in confidence toward existing care systems. Strengthening health education, improving access to hearing services, and promoting inclusive education are key priorities for equitable pediatric hearing care in Chad.