Prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants attending child welfare clinics in the Solomon Islands

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Kaspar, Annette
Newton, Obiga
Kei, Joseph
Driscoll, Carlie
Swanepoel, De Wet
Goulios, Helen

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants in the Solomon Islands, in order to recommend an Infant Ear and Hearing Program that would be suitable to the Pacific Island context. METHODS : Ear examinations and the JCIH Risk-Factor Questionnaire were administered to 288 infants attending Child Welfare Clinics in the Solomon Islands. RESULTS : Overall, 150 infants (52.084%) presented with bilateral normal ear examinations and no risk-factors for SNHL. There were 73 infants (25.34%) with ear pathology in at least one ear, 13 (4.5%) of whom required referral to the ENT Clinic for medical management. The most common pathology was otitis media with effusion (OME) (21.87%). Infants aged 7-12 months were significantly more likely to present with OME (p<0.001) and a history of otitis media (p=0.017) than infants aged 0-6 months. There were 71 infants (24.65%) with at least one risk-factor for sensorineural hearing loss. The most common risk-factors were ototoxicity (8.3%), non-elective caesarean delivery (6.59%), and possible in-utero syphilis infection (5.55%). CONCLUSIONS : The prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss indicate the importance of initiating Infant Ear and Hearing Programs in the Solomon Islands. Program should facilitate early education on prevention of ear disease, as well as early diagnosis and management of children with hearing loss.

Description

Keywords

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), Otitis media with effusion (OME), Newborn and infant hearing screening (NIHS), Pacific Islands

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Kaspar, A., Newton, O., Kei, J. et al. 2018, 'Prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants attending child welfare clinics in the Solomon Islands', International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, vol. 111, pp. 21-25.