title: Pediatric otitis media in Fiji: Survey findings 2015.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Otitis media (OM), as a common infectious disease, is a major cause of hearing impairment among the general population. OM remains a major public health threat in the Pacific islands, but the risks of OM have not been thoroughly explored in this region. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence, clinical features, and quality-of-life impacts of OM in Fiji.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the medical service trip entitled "Healing and Hope - Taiwan Cathay Heart and Hearing Medical Mission to Fiji" (TCHHMMF), we conducted a cross-sectional OM survey study in Suva and Sigatoka areas (Korolevu, Cuvu, and Lomawai) in the summer of 2015. The otitis media - 6 (OM-6) was used to survey the OM-related quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 467 pediatric patients (aged 0-18 years old) screened, 13 (2.78%) have acute otitis media (AOM), 37 (7.92%) have otitis media with effusion (OME), and 19 (4.1%) have chronic otitis media (COM). Age (OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.77) is a significant predictor of AOM, whereas male gender (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.13-5.37), smoke exposure (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.01-7.82), and concomitant chronic sinusitis (OR 6.05, 95% CI: 2.31-15.88) are significant predictors of OME. The mean OM-6 item scores are highest in caregiver concerns (3.8), physical suffering (3.7), and hearing loss (3.4) domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OM is an important primary care disease in Fiji that remains under-served. It is critical to educate professionals, parents, and patients to detect and to improve care for OM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Fu Jen Catholic University School of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Te-Yung
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rafai
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Fu Jen Catholic University School of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: drtony@seed.net.tw.
authors.forename: Pa-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chiy-Huey
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Peng-Long
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Nuan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: You-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: International Medical Affairs, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Medical Intensive Care Unit, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chen-Hsu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hsiu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Fiji; Otitis media; Pediatric; Prevalence; Quality of life