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Prevalence of preventable ear disorders in over 15 000 schoolchildren in northern India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2012

S K Chadha ,
A Sayal ,
V Malhotra  and
A K Agarwal
S K Chadha
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
A Sayal*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
V Malhotra
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
A K Agarwal
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr A Sayal, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, MAM College and Associated LN Hospital, J-1 (2nd Floor), Green Park Extension, New Delhi 110016, India Fax: +91 112 6191663 E-mail: ankushsayal@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Background:

There is a considerable scarcity of reliable population-based data on the prevalence of preventable ear disorders in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of preventable ear disorders in primary school children (aged 5 to 12 years) in northern India.

Method:

A pro forma questionnaire was used to screen 15 718 primary school children in New Delhi for ear disorders. Ear examinations were conducted using otoscopy and impedance audiometry.

Results:

Impacted cerumen was prevalent in 7.93 per cent of schoolchildren, 4.79 per cent suffered from chronic otitis media and 3.06 per cent suffered from otitis media with effusion. Acute otitis media was detected in 0.65 per cent and foreign bodies were found in 0.34 per cent of the children.

Conclusion:

Preventable ear diseases posed a significant health problem among children at primary school level. Regular screening of children during this stage would ensure that their school lives were not affected by hearing impairments or preventable ear disorders. Information gathered in this study will help in effective treatment prioritisation of ear disorders, planning and resource allocation.

Keywords

EpidemiologyOtitis MediaHearing LossPrevalenceChild
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 28 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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