Determinants of caregivers' awareness of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Malaysia

Abstract

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of perceived attitude and anxiety on awareness of UNHS among caregivers in Malaysia. MethodsUsing cross sectional research approach, data were collected and some 46 out of 87 questionnaires distributed to caregivers attending UNHS programs at selected public hospitals were usable for analysis (response rate of 52.8%). Partial Least Squares Method (PLS) algorithm and bootstrapping technique were employed to test the hypotheses of the study. ResultsR square value is 0.205, and it implies that exogenous latent variables explained 21% of the variance of the endogenous latent variable. This value indicates moderate and acceptable level of R-squared values. Findings from PLS structural model evaluation revealed that anxiety has no significant influence (β = −0.091, t = 0.753, p > 0.10) on caregivers' awareness; but perceived attitude has significant effect (β = −0.444, t = 3.434, p < 0.01) on caregivers' awareness. ConclusionCaregivers' awareness of UNHS is influenced by their perceived attitude while anxiety is not associated with caregivers' awareness. This implies that caregivers may not believe in early detection of hearing impairment in children, thinking that their babies are too young to be tested for hearing loss. Moreover, socio-economic situation of the caregivers may have contributed to their failure to honor UNHS screening appointments as some of them may need to work to earn a living while some may perceive it a waste of time honoring such appointments. Non-significant relationship between anxiety and caregivers' awareness may be due to religious beliefs of caregivers. Limitations and suggestions were discussed.