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10/25/2016  |   9:45 AM - 11:00 AM   |  BGPOP Building 402/403/404

Need for Skilled Primary Ear-Care Workers in Developing Countries

Background: Globally, about 360 million people (5.3% of total population) suffer from disabling hearing loss. Prevalence is greatest in South Asia, Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa. This high rate of prevalence can be attributed to lack of awareness regarding importance of ear care and inadequate resources for addressing these issues. The doctor-to-population ratio is less than the WHO recommendation of one doctor per 1000 persons. The ratio is worse for ENT specialists. Aim: The need to develop a cadre of skill-based primary ear-care workers becomes pressing for delivering essential ear-care services. A skilled primary ear-care worker can perform certain clinical and administrative duties and play a significant role right from early identification, awareness generation, screening, and making adequate referrals. Methods: The primary ear-care worker can obtain and record the history of patients having ear morbidities, including family history of ear diseases, social history, exposure to industrial or occupational hazards, trauma, and any surgical procedures. The primary ear-care worker would carry out basic examination to screen and recognize patients with common ear diseases (e.g., wax, simple foreign body, discharging ear etc.). The worker could counsel and refer patients requiring further medical/surgical care. The primary ear-care worker would also be responsible for carrying out hearing assessment and counseling of patients using an audiometer or voice tests. The worker would also carry out promotion of ear health by creating awareness through community based actions. Regarding the rehabilitative aspect, he/she would be responsible for informing the populace about available options for inclusion and integration of people with hearing loss in the community. Conclusion: Creation of a cadre of skilled primary ear-care workers would not only reduce the burden on the scarce ENT specialists but also help address the problem of avoidable hearing loss in developing countries.

• BURDEN OF EAR PROBLEMS ACROSS THE GLOBE
• NEED FOR SKILLED PRIMARY EAR CARE WORKERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
• ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF SKILLED PRIMARY EAR CARE WORKER

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Dr Suneela Garg (POC,Primary Presenter,Author), Sound Hearing 2030, Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, gargsuneela@gmail.com;
Director Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, MAMC Honorary Secretary General and Coordinator Sound Hearing 2030, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi Ex-Head, Community Medicine at Faculty of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Director Professor & Head Deptt.of Community Medicine, & Sub-Dean MAM College, Delhi. She has been in the field of Community Medicine since the last 36 years. She is also Secretary General Sound Hearing 2030. She has professional and research experience with National and International Organizations viz. WHO, UNFPA, Population Council and Rockfeller Foundation. She is an advisor to CBM for National & International Projects on disability. She has been involved in capacity building and research related to Geriatrics for over a decade. She has published and presented over 200 papers International and National peer reviewed journals and conferences. She was conferred fellowship of the Indian Public Health Association and Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine. She has been awarded a WHO Biennium Fellowship in 1992-93 and Fellowship by Overseas Development Agency in 1996, and CBM Fellowship in 2011. She has been conferred with the State Doctor’s Award for her meritorious services and also awarded State AIDS Award for contribution in the field of HIV/AIDS. She has been investigator/co-investigator in several National and International research projects funded by various agencies such as UNFPA, DFID, Rockefeller Foundation, WHO, ICMR, Sanofi Pasteur. She has organized about 200 training programmes for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, RTIs/STIs for doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, group D workers in Delhi in collaboration with Delhi State AIDS Control Society; six training programmes for call centre executives of JansankhyaSthirtakosh (Min. of H & F W, Govt. of India). In addition she has also worked towards sensitization of Health care staff regarding Gender based violence and developed a tool for identification of violence. Her areas of interest are: Qualitative Research, Gerontology, Adolescent & Reproductive Health, Gender Based Issues, Non communicable diseases, HIV, Tuberculosis.

ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.

Deeksha Khurana (Author), Maulana Azad Medical College, deekshakhurana0302@gmail.com;
Programme Officer- Society for Sound Hearing

ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.

Dr Tanu Anand (Co-Author), Hindu Rao Hospital, North Delhi Muncipal Corporation, New Delhi, India, jankimehta2011@gmail.com;
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Hindu Rao Hospital, North Delhi Muncipal Corporation, New Delhi, India

ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.