Prevalence of otitis media with effusion among preschool-age children in Erbil governorate

Abstract

Background and objective: Otitis media with effusion is one of the common diseases in children at preschool age. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of otitis media with effusion in Erbil governorate and compare this prevalence by urban and sub-urban areas and by different seasons.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Otolaryngology, Rizgary Teaching Hospital from April 2015 to May 2016 through enrolling1077 children from randomly selected kindergartens.Results: Of 1077 children, 124 were diagnosed as otitis media with effusion and the prevalence was 11.5% in Erbil governorate. The highest rate of otitis media with effusion was seen in spring (17.3%), followed by winter, autumn and summer (15.3%, 10.8%, and 4.3%, respectively). The prevalence of otitis media with effusion was higher in the sub-urban areas (13.8 %) compared with urban areas (10.7 %).The prevalence of otitis media with effusion was higher among male children (13.4%) than female children (9.4%). The highest proportion of diagnosed otitis media with effusion was among four years old children (13.6%), followed by five and six years old (10.5% and 7.7%, respectively). History of repeated upper respiratory tract infection and snoring were the most common risk factors seen in the child with otitis media with effusionin the rate of 70.2% and 69.4%, respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of otitis media with effusion among preschool-age children in Erbil governorate was 11.5% with a maximum prevalence of 17.4% in the spring season.