Prevalence and associated risk factors of otitis media in an Iranian primary school children

Abstract

Introduction: Otitis media is a common disease of childhood. Accordingly, this study was performed to study prevalence and epidemiological factors associated with otitis media in primary school children. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was performed on 400 primary school children in Shahrood city (Iran) in 2013. All children participated in this project after compiling the questionnaire by their parents which were included demographic, disease history and drug consumption with examinations necessity, especially in the auditory system. Examination of the ear was recorded on a specific form with the help of otoscope and standard method alongside with a constant manner. Results: 210 subjects were male and 190 were female. The mean age of children was 6.11 years. 59.5% of subjects lived in urban area and the remianining lived rural areas. Remarkably, 62.5 % of children had no any type of disease. Relatively, 72.4% fed with breast milk and BMI at 63.5% was between 5 and 85 percent. The 54.9% were born by natural delivery. Only 2.3% of children had acute otitis media. Otitis media had a significant relationship with, maternal education (P