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The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
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Parental attitudes and knowledge of stuttering

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 30, pages 151–156 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

To date, very little research has been carried out on the knowledge and awareness of stuttering in an Arab population. Parents’ attitudes toward stuttering play a critical role in helping the child develop healthy communication attitudes.

Objective

The aim of this study was to collect information on the attitude and knowledge of parents on stuttering in order to gain a better understanding of their level of awareness of the nature of the disorder.

Patients and methods

This study included 100 parents of preschool-aged and school-aged stutterers. They were attendants to the Phoniatric Unit at Kasr Al Aini Hospital; of these, 56 (56%) were women and 44 (44%) were men, age range 26.8-44.3 years, mean 34.7 years. A questionnaire was designed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of parents toward stuttering.

Results

Most parents were familiar with stuttering, but their general knowledge of the disorder was limited. Negative beliefs and attitudes toward stuttering and people who stutter were also held by some parents. The results showed a significant association between the education level and to a lesser extent sex and parental knowledge of and attitudes toward stuttering.

Conclusion

The importance of increasing public awareness of stuttering is evident.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Phoniatric Unit, Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Rasha F. Safwat MD

  2. Phoniatrics Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Aya Sheikhany

Authors
  1. Rasha F. Safwat MD
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  2. Aya Sheikhany
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rasha F. Safwat MD.

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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Safwat, R.F., Sheikhany, A. Parental attitudes and knowledge of stuttering. Egypt J Otolaryngol 30, 151–156 (2014). https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.133220

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.133220

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