An exploratory study of nurses' knowledge, skill, and training requirements for newborn hearing screening in a public-sector program in South India

Abstract

BackgroundA pilot newborn hearing screening (NHS) program was established at 11 Corporation Maternity Hospitals in Chennai, a city in South India, to aid in the early detection of hearing loss. Nurses were trained how to screen newborns using both otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and automated auditory brainstem responses (AABRs). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore nurses’ perceptions of the NHS program and the challenges they faced in implementing it.Material and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 nurses, one from each hospital, who performed NHS in Corporation Maternity Hospitals. Interviews were conducted using guides and probes developed and validated by experts.ResultsFour general themes that covered the nurses’ responses were identified: their understanding of NHS and skills in its execution; gaps in their understanding of the NHS program, constraints faced in implementing the screening program, and additional needs for support.ConclusionsAddressing gaps in training needs, providing full documentation, and overcoming poor adherence to NHS protocols would help the program grow. The lessons learnt are also transferable to programs conducted in similar low–middle income countries.