Browsing by Subject "Deaf"

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    Open Access
    A descriptive study investigating functional balance in deaf school-aged children: towards the adaptation and validation of subjective questionnaires
    (2025) Mbhele, Sphilile; Rogers, Christine; Saman, Yougan
    BACKGROUND: Balance deficits are common in children with deafness. They have an impact on the child's general well-being and holistic development. However, the extent to which children with deafness experience this condition is relatively unknown given the inability of children to communicate their symptoms to healthcare professionals and the lack of self-assessment tools for this population. Although balance function has been studied in literature, the functional impact of balance deficits in children with deafness remains undervalued and under-researched. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate functional balance by quantifying symptoms of imbalance, balance-related handicap and measuring balance performance in school-aged children with deafness and children with normal hearing between the ages of 9 to 17 years. METHODS: A descriptive, case-controlled research study was conducted with 155 children; 97 with deafness and 58 with normal hearing of both sexes, between the ages of 9–17 years (mean age 14 years). The PVSQ was used to quantify balance symptoms, DHI-CA to quantify dizziness-related handicap, and the EQ-5D-Y proxy version questionnaire to determine health- related quality of life. Physical outcome measures included visual acuity, the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) and the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (m-CTSIB). RESULTS: The PVSQ showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.904) and construct validity demonstrated good sensitivity (80%) and specificity (90%). The DHI-CA showed similar results with internal consistency of Cronbach's α=0.949, and sensitivity and specificity of 80%. Significant differences (p=<. 001) were noted between the two groups. Children with deafness showed reduced balance scores on the Mini-BESTest and m-CTSIB (p=<0.001), and had reduced dynamic and static visual acuity when compared with children with normal hearing. A significant relationship was noted between the balance tests and the PVSQ and DHI-CA. The EQ-5D-Y proxy version questionnaire indicated that children with deafness experienced difficulties in all five domains, while children with normal hearing showed difficulties in only two domains (Having pain or discomfort and Feeling worried, sad or unhappy). A correlation was found between the PVSQ, DHI-CA and domain 4 (Doing usual activities) and domain 5 (Having pain and discomfort) of the EQ-5D-Y proxy version questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Children with deafness presented with greater balance difficulties than normal hearing children of the same age group. The adapted PVSQ is able to detect symptoms of imbalance, while the adapted DHI-CA can describe the severity of the handicap imposed by balance symptoms in children with deafness. These tools were able to discriminate between children with impairment versus those from the control sample. Thus, the tools adapted in this study are suitable for identifying balance symptoms and the related impact thereof. These tools will provide invaluable information to healthcare professionals about a child's self-reported balance outcomes, and assist in the subsequent individualisation of therapeutic interventions, ultimately playing a significant role in enhancing the quality of life of children with deafness.
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    Open Access
    Health promotion via SMS improves hypertension knowledge for deaf South Africans
    (2017) Haricharan, Hanne Jensen; Heap, Marion; Hacking, Damian; Lau, Yan Kwan
    Abstract Background Signing Deaf South Africans have limited access to health information. As a result, their knowledge about health is limited. Cell phone usage in South Africa is high. This study aimed to assess whether a short message service (SMS)-based health promotion campaign could improve Deaf people’s knowledge of hypertension and healthy living. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the acceptability of using SMSs for health promotion targeting Deaf people. Methods A baseline questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge about hypertension before an SMS-based information campaign was conducted. After the campaign, an exit questionnaire was conducted, containing the same questions as the baseline questionnaire with additional questions about general acceptability and communication preferences. Results were compared between baseline and exit, using McNemar’s test, paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Focus groups aimed to get further information on the impact and acceptability of SMSs. The focus groups were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results The campaign recruited 82 participants for the baseline survey, but due to significant loss-to-follow-up and exclusions only 41 participants were included in the analysis of the survey. The majority (60%) were men. Eighty percent were employed, while 98% had not finished high school. The campaign showed a statistically significant improvement in overall knowledge about hypertension and healthy living amongst participants. Six individual questions out of 19 also showed a statistically significant improvement. Despite this, participants in focus groups found the medical terminology difficult to understand. Several ways of improving SMS campaigns for the Deaf were identified. These included using using pictures, using ‘signed’ SMSs, combining SMSs with signed drama and linking SMS-campaigns to an interactive communication service that would enable the Deaf to pose questions for clarification. Focus groups suggested that participants who were hypertensive during the campaign adopted a healthier lifestyle. Conclusion SMSs were effective in improving Deaf people’s knowledge of hypertension and healthy living. However, SMS-campaigns should be cognizant of Deaf people’s unique needs and communication preference and explore how to accommodate these. Trial registration The research was registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry on December 1, 2015. Identification number: PACTR201512001353476 .
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    Open Access
    Health promotion via SMS improves hypertension knowledge for deaf South Africans
    (BioMed Central, 2017-08-18) Haricharan, Hanne Jensen; Heap, Marion; Hacking, Damian; Lau, Yan Kwan
    Background: Signing Deaf South Africans have limited access to health information. As a result, their knowledge about health is limited. Cell phone usage in South Africa is high. This study aimed to assess whether a short message service (SMS)-based health promotion campaign could improve Deaf people’s knowledge of hypertension and healthy living. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the acceptability of using SMSs for health promotion targeting Deaf people. Methods: A baseline questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge about hypertension before an SMS-based information campaign was conducted. After the campaign, an exit questionnaire was conducted, containing the same questions as the baseline questionnaire with additional questions about general acceptability and communication preferences. Results were compared between baseline and exit, using McNemar’s test, paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Focus groups aimed to get further information on the impact and acceptability of SMSs. The focus groups were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The campaign recruited 82 participants for the baseline survey, but due to significant loss-to-follow-up and exclusions only 41 participants were included in the analysis of the survey. The majority (60%) were men. Eighty percent were employed, while 98% had not finished high school. The campaign showed a statistically significant improvement in overall knowledge about hypertension and healthy living amongst participants. Six individual questions out of 19 also showed a statistically significant improvement. Despite this, participants in focus groups found the medical terminology difficult to understand. Several ways of improving SMS campaigns for the Deaf were identified. These included using using pictures, using ‘signed’ SMSs, combining SMSs with signed drama and linking SMS-campaigns to an interactive communication service that would enable the Deaf to pose questions for clarification. Focus groups suggested that participants who were hypertensive during the campaign adopted a healthier lifestyle. Conclusion: SMSs were effective in improving Deaf people’s knowledge of hypertension and healthy living. However, SMS-campaigns should be cognizant of Deaf people’s unique needs and communication preference and explore how to accommodate these. Trial registration: The research was registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry on December 1, 2015. Identification number: PACTR201512001353476.
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    Open Access
    The adjustment of the deaf to a hearing world
    (1953) Nagdee, Zanunissa
    The writer wishes to thank the staff of the Dominican School for the Deaf at Wittebome with whose ample assistance she was able to write the thesis. They allowed her to be present during lessons, attend staff discussions, consult the records of pupils and borrow books and pamphlets. In addition, it was through their help that she was able to visit the homes of past and present pupils. The parents of the deaf pupils and the deaf adults with whom the writer came into contact were very helpful and for this she is grateful. The writer wishes to thank the branch secretary of the National Council for the Deaf at Woodstock who allowed her to attend the social evenings. She also wishes to express thanks to managers of the Cape Footwear Industry whose workers she interviewed. Finally, it is although the generous co-operation of many deaf children and adults that she was able to have an insight into their problems and difficulties.