Ototoxic Hearing Loss in Paediatrics – Knowledge and Perceptions Amongst Medical Professionals - L’habit Ne Fait Pas Le Moine - Abstract
Background: The incidence of ototoxicity has become a major challenge in the vulnerable paediatric population, especially with the increasing survival
rates. The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of medical practitioners on pharmacotherapy-induced ototoxicity.
Method: The study followed a descriptive quantitative design, and was conducted prospectively. Purposive sampling was done on all medical practitioners
who rotated through the paediatric oncology unit at a large teaching hospital in Gauteng.
Results: The majority of medical practitioners obtained a result of ? 50%. The section with the most correct answers were section D that handled about the prescribing of ototoxic medication and the least correct answers section C that handled about the monitoring of ototoxicity.
Conclusion: It is evident from the results that medical practitioners had an overall good knowledge of ototoxicity and the prescribing of ototoxic medication. They were, however, much less knowledgeable on ototoxicity monitoring.