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Epidemiology of otitis media in a local tropical African population

Y B Amusa1, I K T Ijadunola, O O Onayade

  • 1Department of Surgery, ENT Unit, College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. yamusa@oauife.edu.ng

West African Journal of Medicine
|November 10, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Otitis media is a common childhood infection in Nigeria, affecting 14.7% of children. Key risk factors include household wood smoke exposure and overcrowding, while breastfeeding and immunization showed no association.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Otitis media represents a significant childhood infection globally.
  • Community-based prevalence data for otitis media in Nigerian children are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the community prevalence of otitis media in Nigerian children.
  • To identify environmental and host-related risk factors associated with otitis media.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted in a semi-urban community in Osun State, Nigeria.
  • 600 children aged 0-12 years underwent otoscopic and general physical examinations.
  • Data on potential risk factors were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of otitis media was 14.7%, with acute otitis media (11.8%) being most common.
  • Peak incidence occurred in children aged 1-4 years.
  • Significant associations were found between otitis media and exposure to household wood smoke, lower maternal education, and overcrowding (more than four children per room).

Conclusions:

  • Otitis media is prevalent in Nigerian children.
  • Factors such as household air pollution from wood smoke, maternal education, and sleeping arrangements are critical risk factors.
  • Interventions should address these environmental and socioeconomic determinants to reduce the burden of otitis media.
Abstract

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