Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Parents Towards Acute Otitis Media Among Children in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract Acute otitis media (AOM) is among the most prevalent infectious diseases of childhood and a leading driver of pediatric healthcare consultations globally. Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices are critical determinants of timely care-seeking and effective management, yet gaps in these domains persist in resource-limited settings such as Nigeria. The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents regarding AOM among children attending the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, and to examine socio-demographic and cultural factors influencing parental practices. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Using the Taro Yamane formula at a 5% margin of error, 80 parents were selected by simple random sampling from a target population of 100 weekly ENT clinic attendees. Data were collected via a validated structured questionnaire covering AOM knowledge, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors. Analysis was performed with SPSS version 26, using frequency distributions and chi-square tests at p < 0.05. The majority of respondents were aged 30–40 years (37.5%), married (75%), Christian (75%), Yoruba (62.5%), and held tertiary education (50%). Most parents had heard about AOM (87.5%), and 75% correctly identified viruses as a causative agent; however, only 62.5% recognized key symptoms and 50% were aware that untreated AOM can cause permanent hearing loss. Attitudes were broadly positive: 75% acknowledged AOM as a serious condition and 68.8% expressed confidence in following prescribed treatment. Despite this, 62.5% endorsed home remedies as sufficient treatment. Good practices were reported by the majority, though 50% admitted using home remedies prior to seeking professional care. Education (75%), financial constraints (75%), and religious beliefs (81.3%) were major determinants of parental practices. Both null hypotheses were rejected: parental knowledge significantly predicts attitude (χ² = 21.03 > 16.92, p < 0.05), and parental age significantly predicts practices (χ² = 18.65 > 16.92, p < 0.05). Parents at EKSUTH demonstrate fair KAP regarding AOM, but critical gaps in symptom recognition, complication awareness, and reliance on home remedies persist. Multi-pronged, culturally sensitive health education strategies are needed to improve parental competence and reduce the morbidity burden of AOM in children. Keywords: Acute otitis media, Parental knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Children, Ear infection,