Background: Otitis media (OM) is the most prevalent childhood disease. OM is the main reason for the young children who receive antibiotics and is the leading reason for physician visits. The present study aims to characterize the manifestations, risk factors, and management of OM in a hospital-based study in Ara region, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. The study included 168 participants (91 male and 77 female children aged from 1 month to 6 years) attending the Ear Nose Throat outpatient clinic of Prince Hospital, Arar city Northern Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1 October 2017 to 30th December 2017. Data collection was done by using a pre-designed questionnaire, which was distributed to mothers of the children to be self-administered.
Results: OM among studied children was 33.9%, 50.9% of cases were males. About the risk factors; 28.1% reported positive family history of OM, 86.0% reported common cold and nasal allergy before the attack of OM, 58.9% reported history of OM, 24.6% exposed to more than three previous attacks of OM, consanguinity between parents in 47.4%, 43.9% of the cases had smoking parents, and 52.6% of children with OM had artificial feeding. About half (52.6%) of cases complained of crying, ear rubbing, lack of sleep, and yellow or bloody discharge, 24.6% had ear pain and vertigo. Most (70.2%) of the cases were treated by conventional treatment, and 12.3% needed insertion of aeration tube or culture and sensitivity. More than third (36.8%) of cases exposed to complications; 12.3% hearing deficiency, 10.6% chronic OM, and 7.0% sinusitis or inflammation of the inner ear (Otitis interna).
Conclusion: Important risk factors of OM in Arar region, Saudi Arabia continue to be a positive family historyof OM, common cold and nasal allergy, history of OM, consanguinity between parents, smoking parents, and artificial feeding. Health education campaigns to increase the mother's awareness about these risk factors are mandatory.
Key words: Otitis media, infancy, children less than seven years, Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia
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