Ear disease in rural New Zealand school children

Surveys of children aged 5--17 in a predominantly rural area showed a high prevalence of inflamed ears and perforated drums in younger subjects and of perforated and scarred drums in older subjects. Abnormal drums were associated wtih lower socioeconomic status, ethnicity and low altitude and low rainfall. Maori children had both higher incidence and lower recovery rates than non-Maori children. The wider use of trained nurses for case detection and follow up is advocated, at an estimated cost of 53 cents per child examination. Further parent education and co-ordination of nurse/audiometrist surveys are necessary.