Socioeconomic Status and Hearing Loss in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Nigeria.
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Date
2007
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Published by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine by Academic Press, London.
Abstract
Background: Hearing loss is reported in about 50% of cases of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).
Aim: To report the prevalence, type and severity of hearing loss in CSOM and identify risk factors.
Methods: A prospective study of hearing loss in CSOM was undertaken in University College Hospital, Ibadan, two
general hospitals and two primary health care centres, all in densely populated, semi-urban areas in south-west
Nigeria. Controls were selected from school children, hospital workers’ children and children whose parents were
visiting the hospitals, all of whom claimed that there had been no episode of otitis media in the past. An oral
questionnaire was administered to all, followed by audiometry and examination of the ear, nose and throat in study
children.
Results: There were 189 CSOM subjects and 100 controls aged between 4 and 150 months [mean (SD) 59.25
(44.55), 173 girls and 116 boys, M:F 1.5:1]. The prevalence of hearing loss in CSOM was 89/189 (47%) and was
conductive in 73/89 (82%) and sensorineural (SHL) in 16/89 (18%). Of the subjects with hearing loss, 72% had
had otitis media during the 1st year of life. Of the 89, 61 (69%) were of low social class, 13/37 (35%) were middle
class and 15/63 (24%) upper class. The duration of CSOM ranged from 4 weeks to 12 years [mean (SD) 4 yrs
(2.04)] and from 5 to 12 years in those with SHL [mean (SD) 9 yrs (6.21)]. There was significant correlation
between socio-economic status and hearing loss (r50.138, p50.02) while no correlation was found with upper
respiratory infection (r50.054, p50.36), age of onset (r50.037, p50.62) or frequency of attacks (r520.068,
p50.35).
Conclusion: About one fifth of patients with CSOM have SHL. Early diagnosis and management of CSOM is
imperative to improve outcome. CSOM is strongly associated with low socio-economic status.
Description
Socioeconomic Status and Hearing Loss in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Nigeria.
Keywords
Hearing Loss, University College Hospital, Ibadan, chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).
Citation
Lasisi, O.A., Suleiman, O.A. & Afolabi, O.A. (2007): Socioeconomic Status and Hearing Loss in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Nigeria. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics. 27; 291–296.