Parental knowledge, attitude and practice towards voice care in preschool children

Abstract

Childhood dysphonia warrants concerns due to its high prevalence rate, negative effects on quality of life and persistent nature. Advocacy of voice care to children as a preventive measure therefore becomes vital. The present study aimed to investigate the parental knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards voice care in preschoolers (ages 3-6). 278 parents of preschoolers from two kindergartens in Hong Kong were recruited to complete a self-administered questionnaire concerning their KAP to voice care in their children. Parents’ perceived barriers to voice care implementation and expected information from voice care program were also surveyed. The results unveiled certain voice care misconceptions among parents. Their voice care attitude was fairly positive, yet their practice was unsatisfactory. The finding supports the significance of voice care programs for parents of preschoolers. It also provides invaluable information on the content and format of prospective voice care program, so that a tailor-made and comprehensive program can be devised.