Chronic suppurative otitis media in Zimbabwean school children: A cross-sectional study

C. K. Pedersen*, P. Zimani, M. Frendø, N. J. Spindler, C. Chidziva, C. Von Buchwald, R. G. Jensen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Chronic suppurative otitis media is a major cause of disabling childhood hearing loss, especially in low-income countries. Estimates on its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa range from the lowest to the highest in the world (less than one per cent to more than five per cent). However, the prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media in Zimbabwe is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of paediatric chronic suppurative otitis media and other middle-ear pathology in rural Zimbabwe. Method A cross-sectional study was performed in primary school children aged 4-13 years from the rural province of Mashonaland East. Participants underwent video otoscopy and tympanometry. Results Out of 451 examined children, two (0.4 per cent) had chronic suppurative otitis media. Acute otitis media was present in one (0.2 per cent), otitis media with effusion was present in five (1.1 per cent) and scarring was present in 69 (15.3 per cent). Conclusion Chronic suppurative otitis media and otitis media sequelae were surprisingly uncommon in this sample of rural primary school children in Zimbabwe. More studies, preferably population-based, are needed to enable more precise estimates of chronic suppurative otitis media prevalence in Zimbabwe.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Laryngology and Otology
Volume134
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)867-871
Number of pages5
ISSN0022-2151
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Developing Countries
  • Epidemiology
  • Otitis Media
  • Otoscopy

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