Prevalence and Predictors of Antibiotic-Resistant Otitis Media in Pediatric Populations

Background: Otitis media is a widely spread childhood infection and the cause of antibiotic prescriptions globally. The growing occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has brought considerable concerns into the effectiveness of treatment methods and health-related outcomes in the population. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find out the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant otitis media among a pediatric population, as well as clinical and demographic predictors of resistance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 500 children aged between 6 months and 12 years who had been diagnosed with otitis media. Demographic and clinical data were gathered and middle ear samples were cultured and susceptibility tested with microbiological tests. Data was analyzed statistically by using SPSS version 2025. Prevalence was summarized using descriptive statistics. Univariate analyses were done by using chi-square tests and independent t-tests, and logistic regression modeling was used to identify independent predictors. A p-value less than 0.05 was regarded to be statistically significant. Findings: The rate of resistance to antibiotics was 37.4, with 14.2% of the cases labelled as multidrug resistant. The most common resistant organisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (56.1) and Haemophiles influenzae (29.4). Other factors that were found to be significant independent predictors of resistance comprised of the previous antibiotic use (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.59334), the attendance of daycare (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.19256) as well as recurring otitis media (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.10240). Full vaccination was protective (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.400.87). Conclusion: AOM that develops resistance to antibiotics is extremely common among the pediatric population and is increased by the risk factors, which are modifiable like previous antibiotic use and daycare visits. The need to enhance vaccination efforts and maximize antibiotic stewardship practices is needed to decrease the rate of resistance and to increase clinical outcomes.