Acute otitis media among rural children in Finland.
The occurrence of acute otitis media (AOM) and factors predisposing to the disease among children were studied in a small rural community in Finland. The annual incidence of AOM was 13.5% among children under 16 years of age and 28.7% under the age of 5. The highest incidences were found during the second and third years of life, with a subsequent decrease in incidences, but with the exception of peaks at the ages of 4 and 7 years. The following factors were found to predispose a child to AOM: atopic diathesis, attending a day-care center, a lack or short duration of breast-feeding, frequent respiratory infections, and housing in the center of a community, especially in an apartment. The smoking habits and otitis history of the parents did not significantly affect the occurrence of AOM in children.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012306:Risk; D012423:Rural Health