Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of symptoms
associated with dysfluency among children of
internally displaced persons (IDP).
Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was
conducted at primary, middle and high schools of
North Waziristan Agency from 1st July to 31st
December 2017. Sample recruited included Pushto
speaking 400 children, of either gender with an age
range of 5 to 16 years. They were subjected to speech
assessment and symptoms recorded as per “Continuum
of Dysfluent Behavior” chart. Data were analyzed by
SPSS 20.
Results: Sample population included 78% males and
22% females with a mean age of 11.02 years. A high
prevalence of dysfluency (61%) was recorded with
frequency of typical dysfluency being 52.25%, and
atypical dysfluency being 8.75%. In typical
dysfluency, commonest symptom was Interjection
(38.57%), followed by hesitation (18.18%) and one
syllable word repetitions (11.57%).
Conclusion: Symptoms of typical dysfluency
including interjection and hesitation were the
commonest among children of IDP’s living in stressful
situation.
Key Words: Atypical dysfluency, disasters, internally
displaced persons (IDPs), interjection, stuttering
severity, typical dysfluency.
