Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Otitis Media Among Pediatric Patients Attending Tertiary Care Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study
Epidemiology and Determinants in a Pediatric Population
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69750/dmls.03.02.0190Keywords:
Chronic Otitis Media, Pediatrics, Risk Factors, Prevalence, Hearing Loss, Upper Respiratory Tract InfectionsAbstract
Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) is an inflammatory disease of the middle ear that is persistent and a major cause of preventable hearing loss in children, especially in countries with low and middle incomes. Its great prevalence is strictly connected with socioeconomic, environmental, and nutritional factors.
Objective: To identify the prevalence and risk factors that are linked with chronic otitis media in pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, between June 2022 and March 2025. A total of 150 children aged 1 to 15 years were recruited using a consecutive sampling technique. The diagnosis of COM was established based on clinical findings, including perforation of the tympanic membrane and/or otorrhea persisting for more than 12 weeks. Data on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, environmental exposures, nutritional status, breastfeeding history, and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were applied, and a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The incidence of COM was 29.3%. There were significant correlations with low socioeconomic status (p = 0.002), frequent infection of the upper respiratory tract (p < 0.001), indoor smoke exposure (p = 0.003), malnutrition (p = 0.001), and absence of exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.015). Recurrent infections (AOR = 3.4), malnutrition (AOR = 2.9), and exposure to indoor smoke (AOR = 2.6) were found to be independent predictors using multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: Chronic otitis media is quite common in children, and it is closely linked to the modifiable risk factors, which creates the necessity of preventive strategies and early intervention.
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