Factors Influencing the Implementation of New-born and Infant Hearing Screening Programmes at Primary Health Care Clinics in South Africa

Purpose: This study aimed to explore possible factors which may influence the implementation of new-born and infant hearing screening programmes at Primary Healthcare Clinics in South Africa at Maternal Child Woman’s Health (MCWH) immunisation clinics.

Participants: Thirty primary healthcare immunisation clinic managers/acting managers were interviewed in two South African sample groups, in the North West province (NW) and Gauteng (GP).

Design: An exploratory, non-experimental, qualitative research design was employed incorporating both quantitative and qualitative information within the two sample groups.

Methods and Materials: An interview using a questionnaire was administered with primary health care (PHC) clinic nursing manager/acting manager, placed within the identified sites. The questionnaire encompassed areas such as work contexts, hearing screening contexts and information management systems, as well as quality control measures in place at these clinics.

Data Analysis: Content analysis was used to code emergent themes into specific categories. Frequency calculations of the emergent themes were conducted and results described qualitatively.

Results: Findings revealed high willingness by clinic managers to have hearing screening form part of their workload; but with attendance to important barriers that were identified. These barriers included resources such as ear and hearing knowledge constraints; human resources, equipment; and budgetary constraints. These findings have important implications for early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) in PHC.