Prevalence  of  Chronic  Otitis  Media  and  Its  Associated  Hearing  Impairment  among  School  Going  Children

Introduction: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is one of the common diseases of the ear, particularly in children which causes significant impact in speech, cognitive, educational and psychological development. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of CSOM and associated hearing impairment among school going children aged 5 to 15 years. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the Department of ENT, between September 2018 to August 2020. The study procedures involved completing a questionnaire, otoscopic examination, tuning fork test and audiometric test. Results: A total of 525 school children were examined for CSOM and associated hearing impairment. Total 57 (10.8%) cases of CSOM were detected with male predominance (6.1% vs 4.8%). The prevalence of CSOM was 10.8%. Unilateral disease was seen in 77.2% and 26.3% had active disease. Around 98.2% had tubotympanic type of disease. This study revealed statistically significant association of CSOM with parent illiteracy, overcrowding, swimming in local pools and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Conclusion: Health education through school health program, improvement of socioeconomic status and health facilities should be used in early detection and management of this disease thereby reducing the prevalence of CSOM.