Evaluation of Chronic Otitis Media-Related Risk Factors in Low Social-Economic Levels

Aim: To examine the role of some changeable risk factors thought to be associated with chronic otitis media (COM) in the low socioeconomic status population and to contribute to the health policies that can be developed in this respect. Material and Methods: Between 1 October 2017 and 1 May 2018, 759 patients with low socio-economic status were evaluated in Bal？kl？g？l State Hospital Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics. The anamnesis of the patients was obtained and otoscopic examination was done. Patients with perforated COM diagnosed with otoscopic examination were found to have perforation on the eardrum at least 3-month. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were perforated COM with at least one ear. All patients were interviewed in terms of age, gender, educational conditions and ages of the parents, the household conditions, the number of individuals living in the household, economic incomes, duration of breastfeeding, food use, bottle feeding and passive smokers. Results: 221 (29.1%) of 759 patients included in our study were diagnosed with perforated COM. When the two groups were compared; In COM (+), female sex ratio, passive smoking exposure and feeding with bottle were statistically significant according to COM (-) (p=0.035, p<0.001 and p=0.048). Maternal literacy was statistically significantly lower in COM (+) than in COM (-) (p=0.041). Perforated COM was statistically more frequent between 0-12 months of breastfeeding (p=0.013). Conclusion: Passive smoking exposure during infancy, bottle feeding, female sex, and maternal illiteracy increase the risk of perforated COM. Breastfeeding for at least 12 months has a protective effect against COM. The social distribution of common diseases in society such as COM varies according to socio-economic level. By increasing the socio-economic level of society, the prevalence of such diseases can be reduced