Addressing underreported occupational noise-induced hearing loss: the experience of an educational workshop on local occupational health planning and program

Abstract

Introduction:

underreported occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is an issue that increases the invisibility and lack of priority of this condition in occupational health (OH) programs. Hence, permanent education actions focused on strategic-situational planning may help address the situation.

Objective:

to present and discuss the experience of an educational intervention in OH technicians of a larger health region in the state of Bahia, Brazil, approaching the use of the Local Health Planning and Program (PPLS, in Portuguese) as a toll to increase reports of ONIHL.

Methods:

the intervention had a workshop structured into five stages, which approached ONIHL discussions, PPLS knowledge, PPLS practice, result socialization, and event evaluation.

Results:

real-problem PPLS practice made it possible to outline concrete actions to address underreported ONIHL, which can be implemented in Occupational Health Reference Centers (Cerest) and other settings statewide.

Conclusion:

the experience proved to be positive, raising technicians’ awareness of underreported ONIHL and mobilizing them to address the underreporting of ONIHL, while also effectively training participants to use PPLS.

Keywords
occupational health; hearing loss noise-induced; disease notification; health planning