title: Knowledge and attitude (KA) survey regarding infant hearing loss in Karnataka, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The support provided and the decisions taken by mothers determine the success of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). Attempts at exploring the existing knowledge-attitude among mothers is crucial to create/modify the existing screening programs. The present study attempts to explore the knowledge and attitude toward infant hearing loss (HL) among mothers of newborns in the Indian state of Karnataka.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 219 mothers of newborns in Karnataka, India. The questionnaire was framed from existing literature and consisted of 19 questions assessing knowledge and attitude toward infant HL to be rated on a three-point scale (no, not sure, yes). Descriptive statistics and Cronbach's α were used to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mothers exhibited good knowledge of risk factors; noise (70.3%) and ear discharge (54.3%). More than 75% agreed that treatment for HL is available and that these children can attend school. The questions of superstitions and cultural beliefs yielded mixed responses. A large number of mothers expressed desire to have their children tested at birth (84.9%) and were concerned about their children's hearing (87.7%). Yet only 54.3% stated that they would allow their children to wear hearing aids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study is an attempt to understand the knowledge and attitude of mothers toward infant HL in Karnataka and facilitate identification of potential areas of less knowledge as a reference for endeavors of enhancement. It further highlights the need for implementing public awareness programs to improve knowledge and attitude of mothers toward infant HL for better implementation of UNHS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: rohitravi94@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ravi
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yerraguntla
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dhanshree R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gunjawate
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bellur
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rajashekhar
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Leslie E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics at Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vasudeva
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guddattu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Infant hearing loss; Maternal attitude; Maternal knowledge; Pediatric