Prevalence of communication disorders in a rural population at taluq level of Gujarat, India

Abstract

Objectives:The main objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of communication disorders between genders and across age groups.Methods: The All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore conducted a Speech and Hearing camp as a part of the annual activity of National Service Scheme (NSS) in Sinor Taluq, Vadodara district, Gujarat State of India. Speech and Hearing camp was conducted in 15 villages of Sinor Taluq. These villages were selected randomly and the population of these villages was 28,954 (twenty eight thousand nine hundred fifty-four).Results:Among the 28,954 individuals surveyed, 1187 (4.09%) individuals were found to have communication disorder. The overall prevalence of ear-related disorders was 3.30% (male – 1.66%, female – 1.63%) and prevalence of speech- and language-related disorder was 0.79% (male – 0.60%, female – 0.24%).Conclusion:The results of the present study could be used to plan and execute policies for the identification, management, and rehabilitation of individuals with communication disorders.