An exploratory study of nurses' knowledge, skill, and training requirements for newborn hearing screening in a public-sector program in South India

Background A pilot newborn hearing screening (NHS) program was established at 11 Corporation Maternity Hospitals in Chennai, a city South India, to aid the early detection of loss. Nurses were trained how screen newborns using both otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and automated auditory brainstem responses (AABRs). The purpose this qualitative study explore nurses’ perceptions NHS challenges they faced implementing it. Material methods Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, one from each hospital, who performed Hospitals. Interviews guides probes developed validated by experts. Results Four general themes that covered identified: their understanding skills its execution; gaps program, constraints additional needs for support. Conclusions Addressing training needs, providing full documentation, overcoming poor adherence protocols would help grow. lessons learnt are also transferable programs similar low–middle income countries.