Chronic suppurative otitis media: prevalence and practices among rural South Indian children.
In order to determine the prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in rural South Indian children, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 914 children (484 boys and 430 girls) from four primary schools and 12 nurseries (balwadis; preschool), of adjacent villages of North Arcot District of Tamil Nadu state. The preschool children were aged 2-5 years, while the ages of the primary school children ranged from 6 to 10 years. The overall prevalence rate of CSOM was found to be 6%. The disease was equally prevalent in preschool children (5.7%) and primary school children (6.2%) (P = 0.94). Cholesteatomatous ear disease was observed in 1.2% of children, those of the older age group having a slightly higher prevalence rate (1.5%) than the younger age group (0.7%). Parental beliefs and existing practices with respect to the disease are also presented.
Department of Otolaryngology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India.
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D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data