An epidemiological study of ear morbidities among primary school children in a rural area of Delhi

Abstract

Background: Globally, more than 360 million population (nearly 5% of world’s population) have disabling hearing loss and 32 million of them are children. Approximately 0.5-5 of every 1000 infants is born with or develops in early childhood disabling hearing loss. It is estimated that over 60% of the otological (ear) morbidities could be avoided through preventive measures, as stated by World Health Organization (2015). As per World health Organization report 2007, 6% of the population of India suffers with significant otological morbidities. Many ear morbidities have their origin in childhood and they may go unnoticed. Estimates indicate that by the age of 3 years at least half of children have experienced at least one episode of middle ear infection. Because it is a childhood illness, it requires close monitoring of signs and symptoms and it is often co-morbid with other infections of the upper or lower respiratory tract. Method: It was a cross sectional study conducted at a rural area based school of Delhi. A total of 368 primary school students, 5 to 11 years age, were included.  Questionnaire was used to take history of ear morbidities, related risk factors and health seeking behaviour. Ear examination was performed using otoscope. Educational status of mother, immunization status, frequent cough-coryza, socio-economic status were found to be significant risk factors [p<0.05].  Results: Around 25 % of students had preventable ear morbidity. Cerumen impaction was the commonest morbidity followed by Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media.  Conclusion: Preventable ear morbidities are prevalent among children. Health education pertaining to health seeking behaviour for ear hygiene and regular ear examination in schools can reduce the prevalence of ear morbidities.

Keywords: cerumen, otitis media, otological morbidities, rural