Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Children Treated for Oral Communication Disorders in Two Speech Therapy Centers in Yaoundé
Profil Epidémiologique et Clinique des Enfants Suivis pour Troubles de la Communication Orale dans deux Centres d’Orthophonie de Yaoundé
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/hra.v3i6.6741Keywords:
Disorders, oral, communication, children, speech therapy, CameroonAbstract
RESUME
Introduction. Au Cameroun, la rééducation orthophonique est indiquée chez plusieurs enfants en pratique clinique, mais nous ne disposons pas de données sur les patients effectivement suivis. L’objectif de notre étude est de dresser le profil épidémio-clinique des enfants suivis dans les cabinets d’orthophonie du Cameroun. Patients et Méthodes. Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale descriptive menée du 1er juillet au 31 août 2022 dans deux services d'orthophonie de Yaoundé. Elle a inclus les enfants de moins de 18 ans suivis pour troubles de la communication orale. Les données ont été analysées avec CS Pro 7.7 et IBM SPSS 26.0. Résultats. Nous avons enregistré 96 enfants avec une prédominance masculine pour un sex ratio de 2,2 et un âge moyen de 5,8 ans. Les facteurs de risque majeurs retrouvés étaient l’exposition aux écrans (59,4 %), manque de stimulation langagière (58,3 %), bilinguisme (41,7 %), et l’aînesse (44,8 %). Les troubles de la communication orale (TCO) étaient principalement des troubles du langage (81,2 %), suivis des troubles de la parole (14,6 %) et du bégaiement (4,2 %). Seuls 41(41,7%) enfants avaient consulté un ORL et 15,7 % des enfants avaient une surdité. Conclusion. Le profil des TCO dans notre contexte est celui d’un garçon aîné, exposé aux écrans et vivant dans un environnement multilingue. Les enfants étant en âge scolaire, une concertation multidisciplinaire et multisectorielle est nécessaire pour un dépistage et une prise en charge optimale.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. In Cameroon, speech and language therapy is indicated for many children in clinical practice, but we have no data on patients actually followed up. The aim of our study was to draw up an epidemiological and clinical profile of children followed up in speech and language therapy practices in Cameroon. Patients and Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 1 July to 31 August 2022 in two speech and language therapy departments in Yaoundé. It included children under 18 years of age followed up for oral communication disorders. Data were analysed using CS Pro 7.7 and IBM SPSS 26.0. Results. We recorded 96 children, predominantly male, with a sex ratio of 2.2 and an average age of 5.8 years. The major risk factors found were exposure to screens (59.4%), lack of language stimulation (58.3%), bilingualism (41.7%), and seniority (44.8%). Oral communication disorders (OCD) were mainly language disorders (81.2%), followed by speech disorders (14.6%) and stammering (4.2%). Only 41 (41.7%) of the children had consulted an ENT specialist and 15.7% of the children were deaf. Conclusion. The profile of OCT in our context is that of an older boy, exposed to screens and living in a multilingual environment. As the children are of school age, multidisciplinary and multisectoral consultation is necessary for optimal screening and management.
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