Risk Factors Associated with Chronic Suppurative Otits Media Among Children Less Than Ten Years Old in Jinja Referral Hospital.

Abstract

Introduction The study was carried out to ascertain the risk factors associated with chronic suppurative otitis media among children less than ten years in Jinja referral hospital. This took place from 14th-30th August 2013. General objective; The main objective was to identify the risk factors associated with CSOM among children less than ten in Jinja Regional referral Hospital. Methodology; The study was a case-control study conducted in Jinja Hospital. Cases were selected from the ENT special clinic while the controls were selected from the out patient of the general children’s unit (Nalufenya). The target population was all the children under ten years in Jinja district. Data was collected by use of questionnaires which was administered to the care givers of the selected children after getting their assent. During data collection period, health education talks were given and the respondents were given hand-outs as an appreciation for their participation in the study and to create awareness in the community also. Results; Social demographic factors; Daily expenditure (OR=7.33, CI=2.37-22.69), Education level (OR=30.54, CI=3.57-261.69), Social-economic status (OR=9.72, CI=1.06-89. Clinical factors; History of discharging ears (OR=140, CI=17.24-147.5), HIV status (OR=11.61 CI=2.33-57.95), Nutritional status (OR=11.61, CI=2.33-57.95), History of treatment (OR=4.64, CI=1.83-11.74). House hold factors; History of bottle feeding (OR=3.78, CI=1.45-9.88), Smoker at home (OR=8.08, CI=2.48-26.28), Number of people in the house (OR=3.34, CI=1.28-8.75).

Conclusion; Daily income, social economic status and education level as demographic factors, URTI’s, HIV, Malnutrition and seeking treatment from pharmacies or drug shops are clinical factors, and congestion, bottle feeding and cigarette smoking as house hold factors correlated with the development of chronic suppurative otitis media among children. Recommendation; The study recommends that income of the community be improved, education programs should emphasize the girl child to attain high level education and adult literacy programs be revived, community sensitization to take children to the hospital and policies strengthened to eliminate untrained pharmacy operators. HIV and nutritional assessment should be mandatory, ENT specialists be trained, equipped and attached to lower level facilities, policies should be put in place to prevent public smoking, continued health education on bottle feeding and family planning.