INTRODUCTION : Chronic otitis media (COM) is a major health problem throughout the world especially in underdeveloped
and developing countries including India. In India, the prevalence of COM varies from 1.4 to 15.3 in various previous
studies. This study was conducted in post covid period, to estimate the prevalence, the significance of certain risk factors
of chronic otitis media among school children, and also to evaluate their level of health seeking behavior in COM.
METHODS : A cross sectional study involving 3432 school children from schools around Model Rural Health Research Unit
Tirunelveli, was undertaken after the schools reopened from the COVID-19 lockdown period between November, 2021
to March 2022. Detailed report of symptoms, habits, treatment history were recorded from parents/guardian. Complete
otological examination was done by ENT Surgeon and findings were recorded. Risk factors included were age, sex,
nutritional status, source of drinking water, passive smoking in home, overcrowding, parent literacy status, habit of ear
picking, habit of taking bath in ponds, and recurrent nasal infections among the children.
RESULTS : The overall prevalence of chronic otitis media is 1.14%. The major symptoms among those with COM are ear pain
(11.7%) and ear discharge (28%). Among the risk factors, habit of ear picking (p value= 0.04), recurrent nasal infections (p
value < 0.000) were found to be significantly associated with COM. The students with h/o ear discharge were classified
into new (8%), persistent (18%), recurrent (26%) and dry perforated (46%), because of which it was found out 50% of the
children were not seeking definitive care for their problem.
CONCLUSION : This study which was conducted post lockdowns of 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 which was able to establish
a lower prevalence rate of chronic otitis media when compared to other studies done in similar settings before this period.
The percentage of children seeking appropriate treatment is 50%, so chronic otitis media still continues to exist as a public
health problem. This highlights a need for better awareness on this issue among both teachers and parents in order to
weed out the problem among school going children. Better screening practices and better referral mechanisms at primary
level is necessary.