[Prevalence of self-reported hearing loss and attributed causes: a population-based study].
The objective was to determine the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in four urban areas in São Paulo State, Brazil, and to describe the causes and socio-demographic variables. This was a population-based cross-sectional study with data on individuals 12 years or older living in the areas in 2001 and 2002. Participation included 5,250 subjects selected by two-stage probability sampling, stratified in clusters. Data analysis was exploratory, including bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of hearing loss was 5.21%, and higher levels were associated with: age > 59 years (18.7%), illness in the 15 days prior to the interview (8.4%), common mental disorders (8.8%), and use of medication in the previous 3 days (8.4%). The study of factors associated with hearing loss can lead to health interventions for addressing that the population's real needs, mostly in primary care. More population-based studies on hearing are needed in Brazil, since there are few publications on the subject.
Cruz
Mariana Sodário
MS
Departamento de Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brasil. msodario@yahoo.com.br
Oliveira
Luiz Roberto de
LR
Carandina
Luana
L
Lima
Maria Cristina Pereira
MC
César
Chester Luis Galvão
CL
Barros
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo
MB
Alves
Maria Cecilia Goi Porto
MC
Goldbaum
Moises
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult