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.
Keywords:
Family Health Strategy; Public Health; School Health Services; Surveys and Questionnaires; Child, Preschool