Scholarlink

<p>Gender-related differences in the timing of pediatric referrals for communication disorders may delay access to care, particularly in sociocultural contexts such as India. Understanding how gender influences referral patterns is crucial to ensuring equitable early intervention. To examine gender disparities in the <i>timing</i> of referrals for speech, language, and hearing disorders among Indian children. A retrospective review of 1200 pediatric cases (ages 1–12 years) referred to the Department of **** at **** between 2015 and 2025 was conducted. Children were categorized by disorder type: speech (articulation, fluency, phonological), language (expressive, receptive, and mixed), and hearing (conductive, sensorineural, and mixed). Referral age, gender distribution, and referral source (parents, teachers, and physicians) were analyzed. Age-appropriate audiological assessments were used (ABR/OAE for infants, VRA for toddlers, and play audiometry for older children). Statistical comparisons included t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Boys accounted for 61% of referrals and were referred significantly earlier than girls (average age 4.03 ± 1.59 vs. 4.60 ± 1.66 years; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Female gender was independently associated with later referral (+ 0.34 years; 95% CI 17–0.52; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Girls also had higher odds of late referral (OR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.10–1.85; <i>p</i> = 0.007). Speech disorders were the most common reason for referral (52%), followed by Language disorders (28%), Hearing disorders (20%), and Mixed disorders (10%). Teacher referrals were disproportionately higher for boys compared to girls. Girls are referred later than boys for communication disorders, particularly for speech and language issues. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive referral practices, awareness programs for caregivers and educators, and integration of gender-neutral developmental screening in public health initiatives such as the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Gender Differences in Timing of Pediatric Referrals for Communication Disorders: A Retrospective Analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月17日

查看全文
  • Varun Singh,
  • Sushant Gupta,
  • Mansi Doshi

摘要

Gender-related differences in the timing of pediatric referrals for communication disorders may delay access to care, particularly in sociocultural contexts such as India. Understanding how gender influences referral patterns is crucial to ensuring equitable early intervention. To examine gender disparities in the timing of referrals for speech, language, and hearing disorders among Indian children. A retrospective review of 1200 pediatric cases (ages 1–12 years) referred to the Department of **** at **** between 2015 and 2025 was conducted. Children were categorized by disorder type: speech (articulation, fluency, phonological), language (expressive, receptive, and mixed), and hearing (conductive, sensorineural, and mixed). Referral age, gender distribution, and referral source (parents, teachers, and physicians) were analyzed. Age-appropriate audiological assessments were used (ABR/OAE for infants, VRA for toddlers, and play audiometry for older children). Statistical comparisons included t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Boys accounted for 61% of referrals and were referred significantly earlier than girls (average age 4.03 ± 1.59 vs. 4.60 ± 1.66 years; p < 0.001). Female gender was independently associated with later referral (+ 0.34 years; 95% CI 17–0.52; p < 0.001). Girls also had higher odds of late referral (OR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.10–1.85; p = 0.007). Speech disorders were the most common reason for referral (52%), followed by Language disorders (28%), Hearing disorders (20%), and Mixed disorders (10%). Teacher referrals were disproportionately higher for boys compared to girls. Girls are referred later than boys for communication disorders, particularly for speech and language issues. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive referral practices, awareness programs for caregivers and educators, and integration of gender-neutral developmental screening in public health initiatives such as the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).