Risk factors for communication disorders and complaints of preschoolers in a School Health Program

ABSTRACT Purpose: to survey the prevalence of risk factors for communication disorders and complaints in preschoolers that participated in the School Health Program (SHP) and compare the findings with age and sex. Methods: the sample comprised 190 preschoolers reached by the SHP. The collection procedure involved the exploration of data in questionnaires previously filled out by their relatives. The risk factors and communication complaints were presented in the occurrence frequency. The evidence of associations between variables was verified with the Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests, and the 5% significance level was used for all comparisons. Results: baby bottle use was the most prevalent risk factor associated with age, being more frequent in younger children. The girls underwent more complications during pregnancy or birth and showed more nonnutritive sucking habits, whereas the boys had more hospital stays. Conclusion: regarding the investigated risk factors, the baby bottle use was the most reported one, followed by ear infections or other ear problems. Complaints related to speaking and hearing were seldom mentioned, although those related to speaking occurred more frequently.摘要 研究目的：调查参与学校健康项目（School Health Program，SHP）的学龄前儿童沟通障碍与相关主诉的危险因素流行情况，并按年龄与性别对结果进行比较。 研究方法：本研究样本纳入190名参与学校健康项目的学龄前儿童。数据收集流程为调取其家属此前填写的问卷资料。以发生频率统计危险因素与沟通主诉的分布特征；采用曼-惠特尼U检验与卡方检验验证变量间的关联显著性，所有比较均设定5%的检验水准。 研究结果：奶瓶使用是与年龄相关的最常见危险因素，在低龄儿童中发生率更高。女童在妊娠或分娩期间并发症发生率更高，且非营养性吸吮习惯更为普遍；而男童的住院次数更多。 研究结论：在所调查的危险因素中，奶瓶使用是报告率最高的一项，其次为耳部感染或其他耳部疾病。与言语和听力相关的主诉提及率较低，但言语相关主诉的发生频率略高。