Authors : Olowosusi O. Z.; Adebisi O. A.; Olowosusi N.

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3tpmutvv

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yrcxkew7

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec827

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : Introduction: There is few research on the prevalence and pattern of speech and language disorders in Nigeria. Results of the few studies that have investigated the prevalence of speech and language disorders in Nigeria show that the prevalence of speech impairment ranges between 8-30% of individuals in Nigeria (Nwosu. 2015). Speech and language disorders is an umbrella term, which refers to a range of expressive and/or receptive difficulties observed in children and adults because of a medical problem or with no known cause (Prelock et al, 2008).  Aim: To assess the pattern of speech and language disorder among patients seeking healthcare and challenges affecting the outcome of care.  Methods: A retrospective study of patients referred to the speech therapy unit of the department of Ear, Nose and Throat department of Federal Medical Center, Owo over a five-year period from January 2015 to December 2019. Using the patients’ registers and individual case-notes, the data retrieved included sociodemographic profile, the diagnosis, outcome & challenges. All data retrieved analyzed descriptively and statistically.  Results: Most of the 76 participants were aged 40 years and above (88.2%), with a nearly equal gender distribution of which retirees are 26.3%. Cardiovascular illness and hypertension account for the major associated comorbid conditions. Slurred speech 47.2% and expressive aphasia secondary to cerebrovascular accident 36.0% account for major clinical diagnosis. The outcome of care shows majority 71.1% defaulted to care. Slow recovery 46.3% and lack of social support 31.5% were the major challenges to accessing care by participants.  Conclusion: Speech and language disorder are common in adults with cardiovascular accident with hypertension as the major predisposing factors. Slow recovery and lack of social welfare were major challenges of accessing care for the participant, resulting in a high level of default in care. Retirees are more affected due to absence of social care for older citizens. Slurred speech and expressive aphasia were the major speech and language disorders.

Keywords : Speech and Language Disorders, Pattern, Challenges of Care.

References :

1. Nellyzita Nwosu. (2015) Systemic Review of the Prevalence of Speech and Language Disorders in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. Vol. 5, No. 5; May 2015.
2. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Definitions of communication disorders and variations [Relevant paper]. Available fromwww.asha.org/policy
3. Aremu, S. K., Afolabi, O. A., Alabi, B.S., &Elemunkan, I.O. (2011). Epidemilogical profile of speech and language disorder in North Central Nigeria. International Journal of Biomedical Science, 7 (4), 268-272.
4. Somefun, O.A, Lesi, F.E., Danfulani, M.A., &Olusanya, B.O. (2006). Communication disorders in Nigerian children. International Journal of PediatricOtorhinolaryngol, 70 (4), 697-702.
5. Claire Mitchell, Matthew Gittins, Sarah Tyson, Andy Vail, Paul Convoy, Lizz Paley and Andrew Bowen. (2020) Prevalence of aphasia and dysarthria among inpatient stroke survivors: describing the population, therapy provision and outcomes on discharge. Aphasiology. Vol 35 issue 7. https://doi.org/10.1080/02.687038.2020.1759772.
6. Michelle L. Stransky and Megan A. Morris. (2019) Adults with Communication Disabilities Face Health Care Obstacles: adults with communication disabilities struggle to access quality health care significantly more than typical peers. How can we get them needed health information and services. The ASHA leader Archieve, Vol 24, Number 3; pages 46-55. https://doi.org/10.1044/leader. FTR1.24032019.46.
7. Engelter ST, Gostynski M, Papa S, Frei M, born C, Ajdacic-Gross V, Gutzwiller F, Lyre PA. (2006). Epidermiology of aphasia attributable to first ischaemic stroke; incidence, severity, fluency, etiology, and thrombolysis. Stroke.  Jun; 37(6): 1379-84 doi:10.1161/01.STR.0000221815.64093.8c
8. Prelock PA, Hutchins T, Glascoe FP. (2008). Speech-language impairment: how to identify the most common and least diagnosed disability of childhood. Medscape Journal of Medicine  Vol10, 136. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2491683/
9. Law, J., Boyle, J., Harris, F., Harkness, A. & Nye, C. (2000). Prevalence and natural history of primary speech and language delay: Findings from a systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 35 (2), 165-88.
10. Adegbiji WA, Olajide GT, Olubi OO, Alii A & Adeniyi AM. (2019). Communication Disorders among Children in a Developing Country, Nigeria. International journal of Biomedical Science, 12(4), 98-103.
11. Chinawa AT, Chinawa JM, Eke CB, Akpa MR, Obi IE, & Ugochukwu IC. (2024). Speech disorders in children with congenital heart disease attending a tertiary institution in South East Nigeria. Nigeria Medical journal, 66(2), 735-745.
12. American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (2015). Speech sound disorders- articulation and phonology. Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/PRPSpecific Topic.aspx?folderid=8589935321&section=Incience_and_Prevalence
13. Hardman ML, Drew CJ & Egan MW. (2002). Human exceptionality: School, community and family. Allyn & Bacon
14. Fisher SE, Vargha-khadem F, Watkins KE, Monaco AP & Pembrey ME. (1988). Localisation of a gene implicated in a severe speech and language disorder. Nature Genetics, 18(2), 168-170. https://doi.org/10.1038/ng0298-168
15. Ikenga  VO & Oparaodu UA. (2021). Pattern of Communication Disordesrs in a Tertary Hospital in Nigeria. Greener Journal of Medical Sciences, 11(2), 240-242.
16. Hoff E. (2013). Interpreting the early language trajectories of children from low-socioeconomic status and language minority homes Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 1-14.