Chronic suppurative otitis media in children: Experiences of free health camps in Nepal

This study was done to find out the prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in children attending free health camps in different regions of Nepal. This is a prospective cross sectional study among 2000 children aged between 5 -13 years. Children those attending free health camps in places of 4 districts of Nepal were included. These free health camps were organized either by Healthy Human Society (non governmental organization run by doctors of Nepal) or in association with other organizations. All these children were interviewed and examined otoscopically from January 2005 to August 2007. Data were analyzed statistically using frequency and percentage. Results showed that the prevalence of CSOM in children attending free health camps of Nepal is 7.6%. Unilateral disease was seen in 69.9% and 38.6% had active disease. Around 83.0% had tybotympanic type of disease. Only 58.8% children attended hospitals. Health education through School health program to prevent ear diseases, which is one of the major causes of deafness, is in need to reduce the prevalence of CSOM and prevent the school children from disability. Improvement of socioeconomic status and health care facilities will also be helpful in reducing the prevalence of CSOM. However, conducting health camps is one of the most important means to search for disease and treat it accordingly. As our study had high prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media than other studies done in school children, the authors recommend free health camps, especially for ear diseases, in different parts of Nepal.