Paediatric chronic suppurative otitis media in rural Rwanda: Prevalence and parental practices.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Public Health Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a prevalent pediatric ear condition in developing nations, often stemming from untreated acute otitis media (AOM).
• The use of traditional herbal remedies in rural communities can lead to delayed diagnosis and management of CSOM, increasing the risk of complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of CSOM among school-aged children in the Bugesera district of Rwanda.
• To investigate parental understanding of CSOM's causes, treatments, and associated complications.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 461 children aged 6-14 years from three rural Rwandan schools.
• Screening for CSOM included medical history, physical examination, and otoscopy. Parents of affected children were surveyed about their knowledge and practices.

Main Results:

• CSOM was diagnosed in 17 children (3.6%), with a mean age of 9.8 years.
• A significant majority of parents (59%) lacked understanding of CSOM's etiology, while others held misconceptions.
• Traditional home remedies, such as using fruit juice, were commonly reported as treatments, with most parents having used them previously.

Conclusions:

• The study identified a notable prevalence of CSOM (approximately 1 in 25) in rural Rwandan school children.
• Parental knowledge regarding the causes, appropriate treatments, and potential complications of CSOM is demonstrably limited in this population.