PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION IN CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Main Article Content
Keywords
Chronic otitis media, children, prevalence, risk factors, otitis media with effusion, hearing loss
Abstract
Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) is one of the major factors contributing to preventable impaired hearing in young individuals worldwide, particularly in less affluent and moderately affluent nations. To tackle this disease effectively, it is necessary to understand its prevalence and the associated risk factors, for early intervention and the development of more effective public health strategies.
Objective: One of the primary objectives of this research was to determine the prevalence of chronic otitis media and to identify the risk factors that affect children.
Method: We utilized a cross-sectional framework to examine the data involving 250 patients aged 5 to 12 years old in the Department of ENT and Department of Pediatrics at GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar. The data was collected through questionnaires filled out by parents, which examined demographic and environmental factors. We performed clinical otoscopic examinations and tympanometry to confirm diagnoses. Chi-square tests and logistic regression tests were used to explore the association between risk determinants and COM, setting the significance level at p < 0.05.
Result: Our findings revealed that chronic otitis media was commonly found in 14.4% of cases. Significant associations were observed with several factors, including exposure to tobacco smoke (22.7%, p < 0.001), recurrent upper respiratory infections (25.0%, p < 0.001), overcrowded housing (20.0%, p = 0.01), non-exclusive breastfeeding (17.8%, p = 0.03), and going to daycare (20 %, p = 0.008). A higher prevalence was found in children aged 5-8 and those residing in rural areas.
Conclusion: In summary, chronic otitis media remains a high-priority public health concern for children, mainly attributable to modifiable risk factors. Successful public health practitioners can make significant contributions to improving childcare practices, education, health education, and early screening, all of which are essential to addressing the burden of COM and its long-term consequences for children.
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Dr. Trupal Patel
Assistant Professor, Dept of ENT, BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad
Dr. Dipal Patel
Assistant Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar