Prevalence of otitis media in school going children in Eastern Nepal

Objectives: To find out the prevalence of otitis media in school going children from lower socio-economic strata. Material and methods: This study was carried out in a government school, Shree Naragram Secondary School in Morang district, eastern Nepal, and included 1050 children aged between 5-15 years. Results: Of the 1050 school children, 346 children were found to have various ENT related problems. Hearing assessment revealed a conductive hearing loss on one or both sides in 114 cases (87%). Various middle ear pathologies were detected in these children, out of which chronic suppurative otitis media "Tubotympanic type" was the most common, followed by otitis media with effusion. The prevalence of otitis media in these children was found to be13.2% and those with hearing loss comprised 12.47%. Prevalence of otitis media is found to be much higher in school going children as compared to adults, and is even higher amongst children belonging to the lower socio-economic strata. Conditions complicating otitis media are more common and severe in children as compared to adults. Conclusion: Primary ear care education to teachers, students and guardians can prevent these vulnerable children from developing hearing impairment. School based study could be one of the useful and cost-effective modality aimed at community oriented program. Key words: otitis media, Prevalence.