The Stuttering Truth: Uncovering the Prevalence and Impact Amongst School Children in the Ablekuma South District, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting speech flow, often hampering social interaction and academic performance in childhood. However, data on the prevalence and impact of stuttering amongst school-aged children remains limited in Ghana. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, gender distribution, hereditary patterns and impact of stuttering amongst school-aged children in the Ablekuma South district, Greater Accra region. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a multistage cluster sampling approach was used to screen a total of 829 children (7–12 years) from five public and private primary schools within the Ablekuma South district. Twenty-three (23) Children who stutter (CWS) were identified utilising a two-pronged approach that involved an initial screening by a class teacher and a subsequent clinical assessment by a licensed speech and language pathologist. The Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering (OASES) tool was used to determine the impact of stuttering on the participants. Results: The prevalence of stuttering amongst the children was 2.77% (n = 23) with an average onset age of 5.02 ± 2.3 years. Male participants were approximately eight times at risk of stuttering compared to their female counterparts (p < 0.01; CI = 2.351– 27.049). Majority (17, 73.9%) of the children who stutter (CWS) reported a family history of stuttering, primarily involving a biological parent. Also, a significant number of CWS, 87.0% (n = 20), reported that stuttering substantially impacted their wellbeing. Conclusions: A section of school-age children in Ghana, particularly boys, may be at an increased risk of stuttering, with implications for the child’s wellbeing. However, no formal system exists to detect CWS or identify the challenges CWS face in Ghana. A family history of stuttering can prompt early screening and evaluation. An efficient screening system that ensures early detection is essential to support affected students.