An Epidemiological study on the morbidities of ear among children near a rural practicing field area of a tertiary medical institute (original) (raw)
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Paediatric presentation of ear cleaning in a West African country
Background: Ear cleaning is very common medico-social habit among children worldwide. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, socio-demographic features, clinical presentation, associated complications and management of paediatric ear cleaning in a tertiary hospital in a West African country. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study which was carried out in Ear, Nose and Throat department of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, over a period of 6 months, between July and December 2017. Consent was obtained from the patients/parents/guardian. The instrument of data collection was a pretested interviewer-assisted questionnaire. Data obtained was collated and analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: Prevalence of ear cleaning in paediatric age group was 91.1%. Males were more affected and accounted for 53.4%. The most common reason for ear cleaning was due to personal hygiene. Ear cleaning was done in 57.1% of the children by their mother. Bilateral ear cleaning was noted in 45.3% of patients, 31.6% in the right ear and 23.1% in the left ear. Majority (65.5%) of patients believed that ear cleaning were beneficial. The commonly used object in ear cleaning were cotton bud, finger, sticks and writing material in 35.2%, 18.6%, 13.8% and 13.4%, respectively. Common clinical features among the patients were dirty/earwax, otalgia and itching in 33.6%, 30.8% and 25.9%, respectively. Short time (acute) ear cleaning in 57.9% was more common than long time (chronic) ear cleaning in 42.1%. The frequency of ear cleaning was done on a daily basis in 55.9% of patients, in 21.5% of patients weekly. In 12.6% of patients monthly while 10.1% of patients used to clean their ears occasionally. Major clinical diagnoses of ear cleaning in children were 26.3% personal hygiene, 19.4% allergy and 17.8% earwax. Common complications were external auditory canal injury in 32.4%, impacted foreign body in 21.5% and traumatic perforated tympanic membrane in 6.5%. About 42.9% of our patient obtained information about cleaning of ear from family, 29.6 % from neighbourhood while 27. 5% did not obtained information from anywhere. Treatment included conservative/medical treatment in 60.7%, foreign body removal in 21.5% and impacted earwax removal in 17.8%. Conclusions: Ear cleaning is a common otological habit among children. Personal hygiene was the most common reason for ear cleaning and with cotton bud been being the most common object used. The habit is associated with avoidable complications. Health education and treatment of underlying causes is paramount to reduce this habit.
IAR Consortium, 2023
Background: This study aimed to determine the Knowledge and care seeking practices for ear infections among school going adolescents children of Himachal Pradesh. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional survey among school going adolescents children of the state of Himachal Pradesh was carried out between October 2022 to December 2022 utilising a Google form. Up until 400 replies were gathered, the Google form was distributed among school going adolescents children for responses via online means like email and social media platforms like Whatsapp groups, Facebook and Instagram. We collected data on their socio-demographic traits and awareness about Ear care and hygiene. Epi info v7 software was used to evaluate the data using the necessary statistical tests. Results: A total of 400 respondents took part in the study, with 262 (65.5 percent) were males and 138 (34.5%) were female school children. The mean age of the participants was 15.3 ±6.1 years. In our study, 381 (97.25%) school children reported that they had knowledge of symptoms of ear infections, 61.5 % (246) had Knowledge about prevention, 116(29%) had Knowledge about treatment, 125 (31.25%) had Knowledge of causes of ear infections, and 289(72.25%) had Knowledge about consequences of infections. 264(66%) school children reported that Hearing loss was the most common consequence of ear infections. While as 47.25% (189) of school children would seek treatment from a health facility, 45.75% (183) would seek help from a traditional healer/ Self-medication/Any medicine by Parents while 7 % (28) would not seek treatment. amily, teachers and health workers were the preferred source of health information for 34.5% (138),25.5%(102) and 25.25% (101) school children respectively. Practicing of ear self-cleaning was reported by 356(89%) school children. Conclusion: The majority of school children had good knowledge and positive attitudes and practices about ear infection.
A comparative evaluation of ear diseases in children of higher versus lower socioeconomic status
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 2005
This study was conducted with an aim to assess the prevalence and profile of ear diseases in children from the higher and lower socioeconomic strata of society. Two groups of schools within Delhi were selected. Group A comprised of government schools located in slum areas with an average parental income of INR (Indian National Rupees) 1050 per month and group B of elite private schools with an average family income of TNR 35 000 per month. Three thousand children between the ages of 5-12 years were screened with the help of a written proforma and ear examination. Tympanometry and audiometry were done, where required. 19.6 per cent of children of group A were found to be suffering from ear diseases compared to 2.13 per cent of group B children. The two groups were also compared for number of family members, status of hygiene and parental education.
Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 2012
Introduction: Ear diseases are common in children mainly due to altered anatomy of Eustachian tube which is straighter in children as compared to that in adults. However, the cause of hearing loss in children is more varied, including the etiologies. This study was done to find out the pattern of ear diseases in paediatric age group attending ear, nose and throat OPD in a tertiary care centre in Pokhara, Nepal. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study done in paediatric patients attending ENT OPD over a period of one year from January 2010 to January 2011. The diagnoses were made on the basis of history and clinical examination. Results were expressed in numbers and percentages. Results: Out of 1632 Pediatric ENT patients, 944 had ear diseases, 59.2% were males and 40.8% females. Wax (33.4%) was the commonest diagnosis followed by Chronic suppurative otitis media (24.3%) and Acute ottitis media (13%). Conclusion: Ear diseases are most common condition in ENT OPD among paediatric age group. Wax, CSOM and ASOM were the three most common ear diseases.
International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 2017
Background: Otitis media is one of the commonest infections in children. The present study was aimed to determine the sociodemographic profile and the associated factors of chronic otitis media along with the health related practices and beliefs among the family of rural children with otitis media in Morang district of eastern Nepal. Methods: This cross sectional study was done over one year in different ear camps conducted in the various rural areas of Morang district of eastern Nepal. The attending guardians of the children with chronic otitis media were interviewed according to the pretested questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic status, health related practices, beliefs and other related issues. All the collected data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: A total of 102 attendants were interviewed. Most of the attending guardians were from low socioeconomic status with majority from medium sized family (4-7 persons). Most of them were illiterate. Most of the children lived in Kachha house. Inspite of only nearly 40% family having latrine, sanitation habits were satisfactory in above 80%. 53.92% of the children with chronic otitis media used to take bath in ponds and lake. Most of the guardians had the habit of cleaning ears in unsafe way. Nearly, a third of the guardians were not aware about importance of head position during breast feeding. Most of the guardians were not aware about the causes and treatment of otitis media. In case of ear discharge, most of them seeked help in health institutions. 14.7% would rely on house hold remedies like oil, herbs instilled in to ears and 2.94% would go to faith healer. However 75.5% of the attendants perceived that the use of antibiotics was the method to treat otitis media. Conclusions: The prevailing chronic otitis media in rural children is associated with several risk factors. The lack of appropriate knowledge, perception and erroneous practices stresses the importance of specific health education to the population. Early detection and preventive programs for better ear care can possibly help to alleviate this burden of chronic illness in the society.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 2015
Introduction: Socioeconomic differences in the society have been a major cause for the discrepancy in disease and behavioural patterns in society. With 360 million people (32 million children) in the world suffering from disabling hearing losses, it is imperative to gain an insight into the impact of differences in socioeconomic strata on children's ear health issues, their knowledge of ear ailments and attitude towards ear health so as to suggest policies addressing ear health issues. Methods: The study was carried out in two different school types namely government schools and private schools which represent wide difference in the socioeconomic status of the students studying there. A questionnaire was administered to students aged 10 to 13 years to assess the current ear care practices, knowledge regarding ear ailments, attitude towards hearing and their adaptability to reform. Results: The children belonging to higher socioeconomic status were found to have lesser incidence of ear diseases and ear abuse, more referrals for ear ailments, lesser indulgence in risky ear health behaviours, better knowledge pool, positive attitude towards ear health and hearing and were more adaptable to change for better hearing. Conclusion: Structures of social disparity are essential determinants of ear health acting both independently and through their influence on behavioural determinants of health. Increasing awareness of ear health issues at the school level itself should be one of the goals of health care providers.