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Analysis of a hearing loss identification and intervention program in the first years of life in primary care

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

to analyze the implementation and effectiveness of a hearing loss identification and intervention program in the first years of life in primary care.

Methods:

an experimental study carried out in two Basic Health Units. Twenty-three Community Health Workers participated, trained through an online self-instructional course from the Ministry of Health. Subsequently, they followed the hearing and language of children from zero to two years old, referring them, if necessary, to audiological evaluation. For the analysis of pre and post online course knowledge, the Wilcoxon test was applied, and to compare the performance between the participants of the two Basic Health Units, the Mann Whitney test was used, adopting p<0.05. Additionally, the qualitative perception of participating community workers, the referrals, and the result of the audiological evaluation were analyzed.

Results:

the online course was effective in improving the knowledge of the participants. A total of 102 children were monitored, 15 of them were referred for evaluation. From these, four underwent hearing screening and 11 underwent a complete hearing assessment, a case of conductive hearing loss being identified.

Conclusion:

the implementation of a program for the identification and intervention of hearing loss, in the first years of life, in primary care, permeated by community health workers, is feasible.

Keywords:
Hearing Loss; Community Health Workers; Inservice Training; Primary Health Care

RESUMO

Objetivo:

analisar a implantação e a eficácia de um programa de identificação e intervenção da perda auditiva nos primeiros anos de vida na atenção primária.

Métodos:

estudo experimental realizado em duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Participaram 23 agentes comunitários de saúde, capacitados por meio de um curso autoinstrucional online do Ministério da Saúde. Posteriormente, acompanharam a audição e a linguagem das crianças de zero a dois anos, encaminhando-as, se necessário, para avaliação audiológica. Para análise do conhecimento pré e pós curso online foi aplicado o teste de Wilcoxon e para comparação do desempenho entre os participantes das duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde empregou-se o teste de Mann Whitney, com adoção de p<0,05. Adicionalmente, avaliou-se a percepção qualitativa dos agentes comunitários participantes, os encaminhamentos realizados e o resultado da avaliação audiológica.

Resultados:

o curso online foi eficaz na melhoria do conhecimento dos participantes. Totalizaram-se 102 crianças acompanhadas, 15 delas encaminhadas para avaliação. Destas, quatro realizaram triagem auditiva e 11 realizaram a avaliação auditiva completa, sendo identificado um caso de perda auditiva condutiva.

Conclusão:

a implantação de um programa de identificação e intervenção da perda auditiva nos primeiros anos de vida na atenção primária, permeada por agentes comunitários de saúde, mostrou-se viável.

Descritores:
Perda Auditiva; Agentes Comunitários de Saúde; Capacitação em Serviço; Atenção Primária à Saúde

INTRODUCTION

It is a worldwide consensus that National Health Systems should be based on strong and resolute primary health care, that is, the expansion and qualification of this level of care have been seen as the main initiatives to produce qualitative changes in health for the coming decades. In Brazil, there is still a long way to go, mainly due to the low investment aimed at this level of care, which is around 19% of the total budget directed to health11. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. 2021. Relatório Anual de Gestão do Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the internet] [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/relatorio_anual_gestao_2021.pdf.
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
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However, even in this scenario, important programs are developed, including the Family Health Strategy and Community Health Workers (CHW). When considering specifically the area of hearing health, the performance of these professionals is recommended by the World Health Organization22. World Health Organization. The Report of the International Workshop on Primary Ear and Hearing Care - Cape Town [homepage on the internet] 1998. [accessed 2020 nov 2]. África do Sul. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/66384/WHO_PBD_PDH_00.10.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand...
(WHO) since 1998 and reaffirmed in the National Primary Health Care (PHC) Policy (Política Nacional de Atenção Básica, PNAB)33. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Portaria nº 2.436, de 21 de novembro de 2017. Aprova a política Nacional de Atenção Básica [homepage on the internet]. 2017 [accessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2017/prt2436_22_09_2017.html
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis...
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According to the Neonatal Hearing Screening care guidelines (NHS) of the Ministry of Health (MS)44. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Ações Programáticas Estratégicas. Diretrizes de Atenção à Triagem Auditiva Neonatal [homepage on the internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde, 2012, 32 p. [acessed 2023 jan 6]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/diretrizes_atencao_triagem_auditiva_neonatal.pdf
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
, monitoring of hearing development in primary health care is provided. Additionally, preventive actions and guidance to the population would be fully conceivable, and the performance of professionals at this level of care could directly influence the control of cases, since about 60% of hearing loss in childhood is preventable55. World Health Organization [homepage on the internet]. Deafness and hearing loss. 2021 [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheet...
,66. O'Donovan J, Namanda AS, Hamala R, Winters N, Bhutta MF. Exploring perceptions, barriers, and enablers for delivery of primary ear and hearing care by community health workers: a photovoice study in Mukono District, Uganda. Int J Equity Health. 2020;19(1):62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01158-8. PMID: 32381090.
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and, most of the time, could be avoided with the implementation of public health actions55. World Health Organization [homepage on the internet]. Deafness and hearing loss. 2021 [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheet...
,77. World Health Organization. World report on hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization [homepage on the internet] 2021. [acessed 2023 jan 6]. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020481.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...
.

However, this reality is still unusual at the national level. For the advancement of the activities, it is necessary to bring to the center of the performance of these professionals the theme of hearing, which includes permanent education policies and changes in professional training processes, as presented in the National Permanent Education Policy in Health (NPEPH)88. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Gestão do Trabalho e da Educação na Saúde. Departamento de Gestão da Educação na Saúde. Política Nacional de Educação Permanente em Saúde: o que se tem produzido para o seu fortalecimento? 1. ed. rev. [homepage on the internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde, 2018. 73 p. [acessed 2023 jan 6]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/politica_nacional_educacao_permanente_saude_fortalecimento.pdf
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
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The specific literature demonstrates that CHW play an important role in the promotion and surveillance of children's hearing health. Among the various tools and strategies developed are in-person training99. Alvarenga KF, Bevilacqua MC, Martinez MAN, Melo TM, Blasca WQ, Taga MFDL. Training proposal for community health agents in hearing health. Pró-Fono R. Atual. Cient. 2008;20(3):171-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-56872008000300006. PMID: 18852964.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-5687200800...
, by videoconference1010. Melo TMD, Alvarenga KDF, Blasca WQ, Taga MFDL. Community health agents training on hearing health: effectiveness of videoconference. Pró-Fono R. Atual. Cient. 2010;22(2):139-44. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-56872010000200012. PMID: 20640378.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-5687201000...
, Cybertutor1111. Araújo ES, Jacob-Corteletti LCB, Abramides DVM, Alvarenga K de F. Community health workers training on infant hearing health: information retention. Rev. CEFAC. 2015;17(2):445-53. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201511913.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02162015119...
and CD-ROM1212. Araújo ES, Alvarenga KF, Urnau D, Pagnossin DF, Wen CL. Community health worker training for infant health: effectiveness of distance learning. Int J Audiol. 2013;52(9):636-41. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.791029. PMID: 23711174.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.79...
. All are effective, but without free access on a national scale.

In this sense, the first course related to hearing health was developed in the virtual learning environment of National Health System (AVASUS/Ministry of Health), which is entitled“Actions in primary care for early identification of hearing impairment” and has as target audience the CHW, available at: https://avasus.ufrn.br. The availability of this course on the platform allowed wide access throughout Brazil and abroad, also reaching other categories of professionals who were interested in the subject1313. Oliveira MTD, Alvarenga KF, Costa KTLD, Regini VBG, Balen SA, Jacob-Corteletti LCB et al. Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals. Int J Audiol. 2022;62(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2050821. PMID: 35343871.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.20...
. Although with free access, the online course does not guarantee that the learning will be put into practice in the daily work routine of the CHW1313. Oliveira MTD, Alvarenga KF, Costa KTLD, Regini VBG, Balen SA, Jacob-Corteletti LCB et al. Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals. Int J Audiol. 2022;62(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2050821. PMID: 35343871.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.20...
,1414. Sánchez D, Adamovich S, Ingram M, Harris FP, de Zapien J, Sánchez A et al. The potential in preparing community health workers to address hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017;28(6):562-574. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045. PMID: 28590899.
https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045...
. Therefore, it is essential to analyze more directly the application of knowledge in daily life, that is, to measure the impact of online training in the reality of this professional.

Considering that the CHW is the main link with the community, by maintaining direct contact with a considerable number of families, the hypothesis of this study is that enabling them in this specific area becomes a potentiating action to expand the scope of actions in hearing health with quality. In addition, these professionals can contribute to minimize the evasion of families in the different stages of the hearing loss identification and intervention program in the first years of life1212. Araújo ES, Alvarenga KF, Urnau D, Pagnossin DF, Wen CL. Community health worker training for infant health: effectiveness of distance learning. Int J Audiol. 2013;52(9):636-41. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.791029. PMID: 23711174.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.79...

13. Oliveira MTD, Alvarenga KF, Costa KTLD, Regini VBG, Balen SA, Jacob-Corteletti LCB et al. Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals. Int J Audiol. 2022;62(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2050821. PMID: 35343871.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.20...

14. Sánchez D, Adamovich S, Ingram M, Harris FP, de Zapien J, Sánchez A et al. The potential in preparing community health workers to address hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017;28(6):562-574. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045. PMID: 28590899.
https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045...

15. Araújo ES, Lima FS, Alvarenga KDF. Monitoring of children with risk indicators for hearing loss. Rev. CEFAC. 2013;15(2):305-13. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-18462012005000077.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-1846201200...

16. O'Donovan J, Verkerk M, Winters N, Chadha S, Bhutta MF. The role of community health workers in addressing the global burden of ear disease and hearing loss: a systematic scoping review of the literature. BMJ Glob Health. 2019;4(2):e001141. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001141. PMID: 30899572.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-00114...
-1717. Suen JJ, Bhatnagar K, Emmett SD, Marrone N, Robler SK, Swanepoel W et al. Hearing care across the life course provided in the community. Bull World Health Organ. 2019;97(10):681-90. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371. PMID: 31656333.
https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371...
.

Given the above, the present study aimed to analyze the implementation and effectiveness of a program for identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life in primary care.

METHODS

This is an experimental study in the realm of health assessment, with a longitudinal design, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Onofre Lopes of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - HUOL/UFRN, Brazil, under protocol number 3.825.237 and CAAE: 98129718.8.0000.5292. This research was conducted by signing the Informed Consent Form by all subjects involved.

Steps for the implementation of the Program

Study of the territory and selection of participants

In common agreement with the Municipal Health Department (MHD) of the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, two basic health units (BHU) were selected for the study because they are part of neighborhoods with the highest demographic densities, namely: Aparecida Family Health Unit (BHU 1) and Rocas Family Health Unit (BHU 2). Subsequently, the proposal was presented to the managers of each unit and then, the structuring schedule of the hearing loss identification and intervention program in the first years of life was organized together with the team, so as not to disrupt the routine of the service.

All CHWs of the selected BHUs were invited to participate in the study, a total of 34 CHWs. Of this total, 23 CHW accepted to participate, being 11 CHW from BHU 1 and 12 CHW from BHU 2, which constituted, therefore, the casuistry of the study.

Training course in Children's Hearing Health

The participating CHWs were instructed to carry out the training through the online course titled "Actions in primary care for early identification of hearing impairment”, available on the AVASUS platform. The training was proposed in different months for each BHU, and all had the option of performing it at home, at the BHU they work at, or in a space provided at the University with access to the internet at previously defined times, inserted in their work schedule, in common agreement with the BHU. Each CHW took the course individually and following their learning rhythm, but with a maximum limit of three weeks for completion.

The CHWs answered a questionnaire, applied in person by the researchers in two moments, before starting access to the platform and immediately after completing all the units of the course. The aforementioned questionnaire was previously validated and used in previous studies in order to evaluate the effectiveness of different training tools for this target audience1010. Melo TMD, Alvarenga KDF, Blasca WQ, Taga MFDL. Community health agents training on hearing health: effectiveness of videoconference. Pró-Fono R. Atual. Cient. 2010;22(2):139-44. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-56872010000200012. PMID: 20640378.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-5687201000...

11. Araújo ES, Jacob-Corteletti LCB, Abramides DVM, Alvarenga K de F. Community health workers training on infant hearing health: information retention. Rev. CEFAC. 2015;17(2):445-53. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201511913.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02162015119...
-1212. Araújo ES, Alvarenga KF, Urnau D, Pagnossin DF, Wen CL. Community health worker training for infant health: effectiveness of distance learning. Int J Audiol. 2013;52(9):636-41. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.791029. PMID: 23711174.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.79...
. It contains 20 questions divided into four domains: (1) conceptualization, (2) prevention, (3) identification and (4) general aspects. The answer options are "true”, “false” and "I don't know", the latter having the role of minimizing the occurrence of random answers. For descriptive analysis of the data, the four proposed subject domains were maintained, and one point was assigned to each correct answer and zero points for the error or for the “I don't know” option, so the maximum score of the instrument was 20 points, which corresponded to 100%. The scores obtained were analyzed as a percentage.

Preparation of CHW for practical action in hearing health

After the training, the CHWs were guided, in person, by the researchers, on the actions to be developed to put into practice the learning obtained. For this, a printed infographic was used with a synthesis of the steps to be carried out: (1) identification of the number of children in their coverage area; (2) guidelines for pregnant women; (3) monthly application of a questionnaire to monitor the development of hearing and language of the child, with correct annotation of the information; and (4) referral of the child to specialized care in view of the needs found.

Indicators for analysis of the effectiveness of the proposed program

Child development monitoring

The follow-up of the child by the CHW began in the month following the end of the training. Therefore, the previously validated questionnaire was used to monitor hearing and language in the first year of life1515. Araújo ES, Lima FS, Alvarenga KDF. Monitoring of children with risk indicators for hearing loss. Rev. CEFAC. 2013;15(2):305-13. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-18462012005000077.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-1846201200...
,1818. Alvarenga KF, Araújo ES, Melo TMD, Martinez MAN, Bevilacqua MC. Questionnaire for monitoring auditory and language development in the first year. Codas. 2013;25(1):16-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/s2317-17822013000100004. PMID: 24408165.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s2317-1782201300...
. For each age there are two or three simple questions, with the answer options "yes" or "no", being the question "Does your child hear well?" common to all ages.

In view of the possibility of identifying hearing loss in the critical period of development, it was decided to use an additional questionnaire to expand the follow-up for children up to two years of age. As no previously validated instrument was found for the age group of 13 to 24 months, an additional questionnaire was developed for the present study. The development milestones were used as reference of the test Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST), known as Denver II1919. Frankenburg WK, Dodds J, Archer P, Shapiro H, Bresnick B. The Denver II: a major revision and restandardization of the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Pediatrics. 1992;89(1):91-7. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.89.1.91. PMID: 1370185.
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.89.1.91...
, and the scale ELM-Early Language Milestone Scale, developed by Coplan2020. Coplan J, Gleason JR. Test-retest and interobserver reliability of the Early Language Milestone Scale. J Pediatr Health Care. 1993;7(5):212-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/0891-5245(93)90006-4. PMID: 8410587.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0891-5245(93)900...
adapted by Lima2121. Lima MCMP, Barbarini GC, Gagliardo HGRG, Arnais MADO, Gonçalves VMG. Observation of language, visual and hearing function development in infants. Rev Saúde Públ. 2004;38(1):106-12. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102004000100015. PMID: 14963549.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200400...
.

When identifying children whose parents or relatives reported complaints about hearing, or who reported delays in auditory or language behavior for two consecutive months, the CHW proceeded with the referral for child audiological evaluation in specialized care. The evaluation protocol involved the use of electro-acoustic, electrophysiological and behavioral procedures, directed by the cross-check principle2222. Hall JW. Crosscheck principle in pediatric audiology today: a 40-year perspective. J Audiol Otol. 2016;20(2):59-67. https://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2016.20.2.59. PMID: 27626077.
https://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2016.20.2.59...
, being used procedures applicable according to the age group.

Perception of the program by Community Health Workers

To verify the perception of the CHWs about the proposed model, all participants were asked, at the end of the research reference period, to present the positive and negative points of the implementation of the program for identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life in primary care. The purpose of this request was to obtain an analysis of the satisfaction regarding learning and the difficulties and facilities in the execution of the monitoring of the child's hearing. Since these were subjective responses of the participants, the analysis of the responses was performed qualitatively by selecting expressions that represented the most recurrent words in the participants' discourse.

Data analysis

The data were submitted to descriptive and inferential analysis. Initially, through the Shapiro Wilk test, it was found that the data did not follow the normal distribution. Thus, the Wilcoxon test for comparison of pre-and post-training performance and Mann Whitney test to compare the performance between the participants of the two BHU. The significance level equivalent to p<0.05 was adopted.

The analysis of the follow-up itself had as a reference the number of questionnaires applied according to the scope of the families accompanied by the professionals. To this end, a survey was conducted of the number of registered families that each CHW was responsible for in their microregion and the number of children from zero to two years old present in these families. The perception of the CHW about the proposed model was analyzed qualitatively.

RESULTS

The performance of CHWs in children's hearing health was portrayed in this study by including from the training stage, the follow-up of children with referral when necessary and the children's audiological evaluation itself.

Of the total number of CHWs invited to the two BHUs, 23 (63.9%) agreed to participate in the study. Of the 13 CHWs who refused to participate, three (21.4%) were from BHU 1 and eight (40.0%) from BHU 2. The reasons listed were: the high demand for activities (n=2), difficulties in informatics or using the internet (n=4), not having a computer and / or access to internet at home (n=3), the need to travel to the educational institution (n=2), not being interested in the topic addressed (n=3) and, still, other reasons, such as the course not being focused on adult hearing health (n=1).

Of the total of 23 participating CHWs, 21 (91.3%) completed the online course and two (8.7%) CHWs failed to finish in the study period. As the BHUs in which they operated did not have internet, six CHWs of the BHU 2 chose to carry out the training in their own home and all the others chose to use the infrastructure provided in the higher education institution in which the study was developed.

Participants complete the course within three weeks, with three-hour meetings twice a week. Among the six CHWs of the BHU 2 who chose to carry out the training at home, four completed the course in the same period and two did not complete all the units. The characterization of the participants in terms of gender, age and education is described in Table 1.

Table 1
Characterization of the community health workers participating

Training course in Children's Hearing Health

In the comparative analysis of pre-and post-training performance, there were differences for the total score and for the domains, with the exception of only “general aspects” (Table 2). The descriptive statistics, considering mean, standard deviation, median and minimum and maximum values of the scores obtained are presented in Table 2.

Table 2
Pre-and post-training performance, in percentage of correct answers, for each domain and total score

When comparing the performance between the two BHUs, there was a difference in the pre-training moment for the “conceptualization” and “prevention” domains. However, such a difference was not maintained after the completion of the course. For "general aspects" and for the total score, there was a difference in the two evaluation moments, with better performance for the CHWs of the BHU 1 (Table 3).

Table 3
Comparative analysis of pre-and post-training performance of basic health units, by domain and total score

Child development monitoring

After the training, the CHWs put into practice the knowledge obtained. The follow-up steps and the results obtained are represented in a flowchart (Figure 1). It is important to mention that, throughout the process, two CHWs from BHU 1 and three CHWs from BHU 2 did not continue to apply the questionnaires, with justifications related to the high demand of activities (n=3) and the fact that they changed roles or BHU, redirecting families from their coverage area to other CHWs (n=2).

Figure 1
Flowchart of the follow-up steps of the two selected basic health units

Table 4 presents the characterization of the total of 15 children who were referred to the specialized care service, in terms of age, gender, Risk Indicators for Hearing Loss (RIHL) and the performance of NHS in the maternity of origin.

Table 4
Characterization of children referred by Community Health Workers for audiological evaluation

Perception of the program by Community Health Workers

The CHWs, after seven to eight months of participation in the proposed program, reported the positive and negative points from training to the application of the acquired learning in their work routine.

Figure 2 shows examples of the most recurrent reports describing participants' satisfaction with the online training and the accompaniment of the children of the community. It is important to mention that the complaint regarding the short time for many activities was unanimous. The CHWs reported that they attached the questionnaire to the medical records of the families followed to maintain it as a monthly practice, even after the completion of the study, as directed.

Figure 2
Perception of community health workers in relation to the implementation of the program for identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life in primary care

DISCUSSION

The CHW was inserted in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) with the perspective of improving the health of the community, in view of the organization of primary care11. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. 2021. Relatório Anual de Gestão do Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the internet] [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/relatorio_anual_gestao_2021.pdf.
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
. It is feasible that the performance of these professionals considerably increases the number of children who will be accompanied in their development regarding hearing, which strengthens the understanding that primary care should complement the NHS programs44. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Ações Programáticas Estratégicas. Diretrizes de Atenção à Triagem Auditiva Neonatal [homepage on the internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde, 2012, 32 p. [acessed 2023 jan 6]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/diretrizes_atencao_triagem_auditiva_neonatal.pdf
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
. However, to achieve this objective, it is necessary that the professional is previously trained in the subject22. World Health Organization. The Report of the International Workshop on Primary Ear and Hearing Care - Cape Town [homepage on the internet] 1998. [accessed 2020 nov 2]. África do Sul. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/66384/WHO_PBD_PDH_00.10.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand...
,1111. Araújo ES, Jacob-Corteletti LCB, Abramides DVM, Alvarenga K de F. Community health workers training on infant hearing health: information retention. Rev. CEFAC. 2015;17(2):445-53. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201511913.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02162015119...

12. Araújo ES, Alvarenga KF, Urnau D, Pagnossin DF, Wen CL. Community health worker training for infant health: effectiveness of distance learning. Int J Audiol. 2013;52(9):636-41. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.791029. PMID: 23711174.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.79...

13. Oliveira MTD, Alvarenga KF, Costa KTLD, Regini VBG, Balen SA, Jacob-Corteletti LCB et al. Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals. Int J Audiol. 2022;62(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2050821. PMID: 35343871.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.20...

14. Sánchez D, Adamovich S, Ingram M, Harris FP, de Zapien J, Sánchez A et al. The potential in preparing community health workers to address hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017;28(6):562-574. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045. PMID: 28590899.
https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045...

15. Araújo ES, Lima FS, Alvarenga KDF. Monitoring of children with risk indicators for hearing loss. Rev. CEFAC. 2013;15(2):305-13. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-18462012005000077.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-1846201200...

16. O'Donovan J, Verkerk M, Winters N, Chadha S, Bhutta MF. The role of community health workers in addressing the global burden of ear disease and hearing loss: a systematic scoping review of the literature. BMJ Glob Health. 2019;4(2):e001141. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001141. PMID: 30899572.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-00114...
-1717. Suen JJ, Bhatnagar K, Emmett SD, Marrone N, Robler SK, Swanepoel W et al. Hearing care across the life course provided in the community. Bull World Health Organ. 2019;97(10):681-90. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371. PMID: 31656333.
https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371...
.

In the present study, the fact that most CHWs chose to take the course on the premises of the institution made it possible to verify the difficulties that these professionals present in the concepts of basic informatics. During the training, the difficulties presented with the digital tools were of different levels and demonstrated that it is really necessary to have prior training in computer science to enhance this initial stage of the program1212. Araújo ES, Alvarenga KF, Urnau D, Pagnossin DF, Wen CL. Community health worker training for infant health: effectiveness of distance learning. Int J Audiol. 2013;52(9):636-41. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.791029. PMID: 23711174.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.79...
.

Another important aspect was the lack of internet in the BHUs, which hindered access in the work environment for training. According to the Internet Steering Committee in Brazil, there are an estimated 2,505 BHUs without access to computers and 3,397 without access to internet, predominantly located in municipalities in the Northeast region of the country2323. Comitê Gestor da Internet no Brasil, editor [homepage on the internet]. ICT in health 2021: survey on the use of information and communication technologies in Brazilian health care facilities. São Paulo, 2021 - [acessed 2023 feb 6]. Available at: https://cetic.br/media/docs/publicacoes/2/20211130124545/tic_saude_2021_livroeletronico.pdf.
https://cetic.br/media/docs/publicacoes/...
.

The partnership with the University to carry out the study, obviously, will not be possible in all municipalities, which, at first, may allow us to question the viability of implementing this training in BHUs throughout the country. In this sense, progress is expected with the program "Informatiza APS" which is part of the digital health strategy of the Ministry of Health, with the proposal to support the computerization of health facilities and the qualification of Primary Health Care data throughout the country2424. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the internet] Portaria nº 2.983, de 11 de novembro de 2019. [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Programa de Apoio à Informatização e Qualificação dos Dados da Atenção Primária à Saúde - Informatiza APS. Available at: https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/portaria-n-2.983-de-11-de-novembro-de-2019-227652196.
https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/porta...
.

Thus, by ensuring basic computer knowledge and access to the necessary resources, knowledge about general aspects of hearing is configured as the first stage for the modification of professional posture and for the advancement of activities aimed at hearing health in primary care. It is also highlighted the importance of the training courses being inserted in the workload of the CHW, to achieve a significant percentage of completion of the course, which, because it is online, requires greater determination and discipline from participants, including not to give up1313. Oliveira MTD, Alvarenga KF, Costa KTLD, Regini VBG, Balen SA, Jacob-Corteletti LCB et al. Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals. Int J Audiol. 2022;62(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2050821. PMID: 35343871.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.20...
,1414. Sánchez D, Adamovich S, Ingram M, Harris FP, de Zapien J, Sánchez A et al. The potential in preparing community health workers to address hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017;28(6):562-574. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045. PMID: 28590899.
https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045...
, which, despite being low, i.e., two CHWs of the total participants (8.6%), occurred in the present study.

Training course in Children's Hearing Health

The comparative analysis of pre-and post-training performance indicated an improvement in knowledge, which demonstrated that the online course was effective. This finding confirms the potential use of tele-education tools in the field of hearing health for these professionals1111. Araújo ES, Jacob-Corteletti LCB, Abramides DVM, Alvarenga K de F. Community health workers training on infant hearing health: information retention. Rev. CEFAC. 2015;17(2):445-53. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216201511913.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02162015119...

12. Araújo ES, Alvarenga KF, Urnau D, Pagnossin DF, Wen CL. Community health worker training for infant health: effectiveness of distance learning. Int J Audiol. 2013;52(9):636-41. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.791029. PMID: 23711174.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14992027.2013.79...

13. Oliveira MTD, Alvarenga KF, Costa KTLD, Regini VBG, Balen SA, Jacob-Corteletti LCB et al. Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals. Int J Audiol. 2022;62(5):453-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2050821. PMID: 35343871.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.20...

14. Sánchez D, Adamovich S, Ingram M, Harris FP, de Zapien J, Sánchez A et al. The potential in preparing community health workers to address hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017;28(6):562-574. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045. PMID: 28590899.
https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045...

15. Araújo ES, Lima FS, Alvarenga KDF. Monitoring of children with risk indicators for hearing loss. Rev. CEFAC. 2013;15(2):305-13. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-18462012005000077.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-1846201200...

16. O'Donovan J, Verkerk M, Winters N, Chadha S, Bhutta MF. The role of community health workers in addressing the global burden of ear disease and hearing loss: a systematic scoping review of the literature. BMJ Glob Health. 2019;4(2):e001141. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001141. PMID: 30899572.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-00114...
-1717. Suen JJ, Bhatnagar K, Emmett SD, Marrone N, Robler SK, Swanepoel W et al. Hearing care across the life course provided in the community. Bull World Health Organ. 2019;97(10):681-90. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371. PMID: 31656333.
https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371...
and encourages the expansion of a tool that mitigates the difficulties described above, with wide reach and free access throughout the national territory1414. Sánchez D, Adamovich S, Ingram M, Harris FP, de Zapien J, Sánchez A et al. The potential in preparing community health workers to address hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017;28(6):562-574. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045. PMID: 28590899.
https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.16045...
.

When considering the similar profile of the CHWs participating in the two BHUs regarding gender, age group and instructional level, it is possible to infer that the difference in performance may be associated with individual characteristics in relation to learning. It is important to mention that, despite the difference in performance, the CHWs of both BHUs obtained improved knowledge and were able to apply it in their daily work. Thus, the inequality in the level of prior knowledge did not make it impossible to take advantage of the course and, in addition, it covered some of these differences.

Child development monitoring

Initially, it was observed that, of the total of 153 children registered in the age group from 0 to two years, a coverage of 64% of follow-up was obtained. Considering that there was no action aimed at hearing health in these BHUs, prior to this study, it is considered a significant result. However, it is clear that coverage must be expanded. Given the difficulties listed by the CHWs, one aspect to be worked on is the awareness of families about the importance of monitoring the development of their children.

In the BHU 1, it was found that three children over the age group were included in the study by the CHW, upon complaints from families about hearing aspects. This conduct demonstrates that the CHWs understood the importance of auditory evaluation in children with family complaints regarding hearing and language development, which reinforces that the training carried out was effective.

Regarding the children referred to the specialized care service, only one child did not attend, and the Social Service was activated to carry out the active search. Therefore, the importance of multiprofessional articulation for the resolution of these situations found in the various stages of programs for identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life is emphasized2525. Nicholson N, Rhoades EA, Glade RE. Analysis of health disparities in the screening and diagnosis of hearing loss: early hearing detection and intervention hearing screening follow-up survey. Am J Audiol. 2022;31(3):764-88.,2626. Juarez JM, Shaffer AD, Chi DH. Follow-up after failed newborn hearing screening: parental and primary care provider awareness. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(6):102614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102614. PMID: 32622290.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.10...
.

Of the children referred to the specialized service, only five had RIHL2727. Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. Year 2019 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs. J Early Hear Detect Interv. 2019;4(2):1-44. https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748.
https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748...
and, only one of them initiated the monitoring of their hearing, as proposed by national and international guidelines2727. Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. Year 2019 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs. J Early Hear Detect Interv. 2019;4(2):1-44. https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748.
https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748...
. This finding demonstrates yet another weakness of the programs for identification and intervention of hearing loss at the national level. It is important to emphasize that, although sensorineural hearing loss was not diagnosed in these children, one child with conductive hearing loss and two with language impairment were identified, which required evaluation and specific intervention. Thus, the presence of RIHL should not be a prerequisite for the performance of NHS and for the follow-up of children.

It is noteworthy that four children were referred by the CHWs, since the NHS registration in the maternity hospital of origin was not identified in the child's health record. This data reiterates the effectiveness of the course, since these CHWs understood the importance of early identification and treatment.

Additionally, this demonstrates that the performance of CHWs in hearing health is an important complementary strategy to the NHS, considering that, in the Brazilian reality, the estimated coverage is 39.7%11. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. 2021. Relatório Anual de Gestão do Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the internet] [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/relatorio_anual_gestao_2021.pdf.
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
. Importantly, the goal of the Ministry of Health in NHS programs is 70% of live newborns11. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. 2021. Relatório Anual de Gestão do Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the internet] [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/relatorio_anual_gestao_2021.pdf.
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
, that is, universality will only be achieved with articulation with primary health care.

The current data demonstrate the feasibility of achieving this goal, considering the performance of the CHW. In Brazil, it is observed that the number of professionals in primary care is inversely proportional to the coverage of NHS programs11. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. 2021. Relatório Anual de Gestão do Ministério da Saúde [homepage on the internet] [acessed 2022 nov 2]. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/relatorio_anual_gestao_2021.pdf.
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicaco...
,2828. Oliveira TDS, Dutra MRP, Cavalcanti HG. Newborn Hearing Screening: association between coverage, and the availability of speech therapists and equipment in Brazil. Codas. 2021;33(2):e20190259. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20202019259. PMID: 33978104.
https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/202020...
,2929. Vernier LS, Cazella SC, Levandowski DC. Neonatal Hearing Screening: protocols, obstacles and perspectives of speech therapists in Brazil - 10 years of Brazilian Federal Law 12,303/2010. Codas. 2022;34(2):e20200331. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20212020331. PMID: 35043864.
https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/202120...
. In other words, in regions where NHS programs have less than 70% coverage, the rate of the population served by CHWs is higher than 80%.

It is noteworthy that, in the present study, there was 100% resolution, since the child with conductive hearing loss underwent surgery and, after reassessment, normal hearing was obtained. On the other hand, children with complaints of language impairment were referred and cared for at the University. All family members were instructed in the development of hearing and language.

Perception of the program by Community Health Workers

In general, the CHWs were satisfied with their participation in the study, as can be seen in the representative reports presented.

However, important negative impressions were presented and should be considered to improve future implementations of this proposal. In this sense, the fundamental points would be: the reorganization of demands, the resoluteness of access barriers and the continuous incentive by managers for adherence to permanent education actions and practical action related to children's hearing health. It is also important to highlight the need to increase the number of CHWs, which is insufficient for the total population, given the difficulties and excess of activities to which they are subjected3030. Lopes DMQ, Lunardi Filho WD, Beck CLC, Coelho APF. The workload of the community health agent: research and assistance in the perspective of convergent-care. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2018;27(4):e3850017. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018003850017.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018003...
,3131. Costa IS da S, Torres ACS, Bezerra MIC, Pires RR. Processo de trabalho de agentes comunitários e saúde mental: percepções de trabalhadores da saúde de um município do interior do Ceará. RSD. 2022;11(2):e4711225520. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i2.25520.
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i2.25520...
.

The present study showed, as a limitation, the use of the questionnaire between 13 and 24 months of age, which, although structured based on the development frameworks of standardized tests, had not been previously validated for application by the CHWs. However, this is an age group in which parents and guardians have high chances of identifying the main symptoms of disabling hearing loss. Identification by the parents themselves can occur accurately, especially if the child's hearing loss affects the frequencies of speech sounds and if it is, minimally, a moderate or bilateral hearing loss3232. Alsudays AM, Alharbi AA, Althunayyan FS, Alsudays AA, Alanazy SM, Al-Wutay O et al. Parental knowledge and attitudes to childhood hearing loss and hearing services in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. BMC Pediatr. 2020;20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02080-2. PMID: 32312244.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02080...

33. Ayas M, Yaseen H. Knowledge and attitudes of parents towards childhood hearing loss and pediatric hearing services in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(12):6188. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126188. PMID: 34201064.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126188...

34. Wong YA, Mukari SZS, Harithasan D, Mazlan R. Knowledge and attitude on childhood hearing loss among mothers and mothers-to-be in urban and rural areas in Malaysia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;124:79-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.05.040. PMID: 31174022.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.05...

35. Hussein D, D'Alessandro HD, Batuk MÖ, Ekhwan A, Sennaroglu G. Views of Syrian mothers in Ankara on infant hearing loss: cross-sectional survey. Matern Child Health J. 2022;26(11):2247-2253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03488-1. PMID: 36065040.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03488...
-3636. Ehlert K, Coetzer C. Maternal knowledge and views regarding early hearing detection and intervention in children aged 0-5 years at a semi-urban primary care clinic in South Africa. S Afr J Commun Disord. 2020;67(1):e1-e8. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v67i1.681. PMID: 32787415.
https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v67i1.681...
. Similarly, for the first year of life, involvement, family observation and continuous monitoring are essential, given that, even with the use of a validated instrument, a sensitivity of 67% is estimated, with a false-negative rate of 33%, for not identifying unilateral hearing loss1818. Alvarenga KF, Araújo ES, Melo TMD, Martinez MAN, Bevilacqua MC. Questionnaire for monitoring auditory and language development in the first year. Codas. 2013;25(1):16-21. https://doi.org/10.1590/s2317-17822013000100004. PMID: 24408165.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s2317-1782201300...
.

Another aspect that can be pointed out is the impossibility of comparative analysis of the results obtained in the follow-up of children between the units, due to the fact that the training was carried out in different months, that is, first in BHU 1 followed by BHU 2, with an impact on the shorter follow-up time and, consequently, on the number of visits and children followed up. Despite this, the results of this study showed that the performance of CHWs in a program of identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life linked to primary care can increase the number of children accompanied or rescue those who evaded some follow-up, from the NHS stage to the intervention of children with hearing loss66. O'Donovan J, Namanda AS, Hamala R, Winters N, Bhutta MF. Exploring perceptions, barriers, and enablers for delivery of primary ear and hearing care by community health workers: a photovoice study in Mukono District, Uganda. Int J Equity Health. 2020;19(1):62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01158-8. PMID: 32381090.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01158...
. The questionnaire used for auditory monitoring is easy and quick to apply, making it feasible in the work routine of the CHW1616. O'Donovan J, Verkerk M, Winters N, Chadha S, Bhutta MF. The role of community health workers in addressing the global burden of ear disease and hearing loss: a systematic scoping review of the literature. BMJ Glob Health. 2019;4(2):e001141. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001141. PMID: 30899572.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-00114...
,1717. Suen JJ, Bhatnagar K, Emmett SD, Marrone N, Robler SK, Swanepoel W et al. Hearing care across the life course provided in the community. Bull World Health Organ. 2019;97(10):681-90. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371. PMID: 31656333.
https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.227371...
.

Therefore, when considering what was described above, this study brought representative data from a program model for the identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life in coordination with primary care. It was possible to verify the feasibility of having effective training tools, available access resources, interest of managers and motivation of the CHWs themselves.

Thus, the action of the CHW can contribute to expand the identification, diagnosis and early intervention of hearing loss, and also to the rescue of families who may have evaded at some stage of the program of identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life. A continuous improvement of public policies in hearing health is important for structuring a health care network and assistance can reach the entire population, with the expectation of minimizing inequality of access in the national territory2727. Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. Year 2019 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs. J Early Hear Detect Interv. 2019;4(2):1-44. https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748.
https://doi.org/10.15142/fptk-b748...
,3030. Lopes DMQ, Lunardi Filho WD, Beck CLC, Coelho APF. The workload of the community health agent: research and assistance in the perspective of convergent-care. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2018;27(4):e3850017. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018003850017.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018003...
,3131. Costa IS da S, Torres ACS, Bezerra MIC, Pires RR. Processo de trabalho de agentes comunitários e saúde mental: percepções de trabalhadores da saúde de um município do interior do Ceará. RSD. 2022;11(2):e4711225520. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i2.25520.
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i2.25520...
.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of a program for the identification and intervention of hearing loss in the first years of life in primary care permeated by the intervention of CHWs was feasible and with promising results, however, strategies to minimize existing barriers should be adopted.

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  • Study conducted at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil.
  • Financial support: This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - Brazil - Finance Code 001.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    09 Oct 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    03 Nov 2022
  • Accepted
    23 Feb 2023
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