Preliminary study on the feasibility of a two-stage screening strategy for otitis media with effusion in children
Jia Yang1,2,3, Hu Zhang3, Na Zhao3
1Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Jinan, China.
Insights
A two-stage screening strategy effectively detects otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. This method is particularly useful for rural areas with limited medical resources, identifying risk factors like urban living and family dining habits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common condition in children, potentially leading to hearing impairment and developmental delays.
- Effective screening strategies are crucial for early detection and intervention, especially in underserved areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel two-stage screening approach for OME in pre-school and school-aged children.
- To identify key risk factors associated with OME in the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 189 children aged 4-8 years underwent a two-stage screening process.
- Stage 1 involved on-site portable otoscopy and questionnaires for initial diagnosis and risk assessment.
- Stage 2 consisted of standard diagnostic screening at a regional hospital for definitive diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The two-stage screening detected OME with a prevalence of 12.7%, closely matching the actual prevalence of 13.4% (P = 0.847).
- Children from urban areas exhibited a significantly lower risk of OME compared to those from rural areas (OR = 0.28).
- Family dining was associated with a reduced risk of OME compared to childcare dining (OR = 0.15).
Conclusions:
- The implemented two-stage screening strategy is a feasible and effective method for identifying OME in children.
- This approach is particularly valuable for rural regions with high OME prevalence and constrained healthcare resources.
- Identified risk factors can inform targeted prevention and intervention efforts.
Aim:
To evaluate the feasibility of a two-stage screening strategy for otitis media with effusion (OME) in pre-school and school children. The risk factors of OME were also studied.
Methods:
One hundred and eighty-nine children aged 4-8 years were recruited. The two-stage screening consisted of an on-site screening with a portable otoscopy along with a questionnaire to both diagnose children with OME and identify children at risk, and a standard screening performed at a regional hospital for final diagnosis. The prevalence detected from the two-stage screening approach was compared to the actual prevalence.
Results:
The detection rate of OME through the two-stage screening approach was not significantly different from the actual prevalence rate (12.7% vs. 13.4%, P = 0.847). Children from the urban area had a lower risk for OME than that from the rural area (P = 0.007, odds ratio (OR) = 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11-0.74). Compared to childcare dining, family dining helped to reduce the chance of OME (P < 0.001, OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06-0.38).
Conclusions:
The two-stage screening strategy was effective for screening for OME among pre-school and school children. It can be used in rural areas that have a high prevalence of OME and limited medical resources.
