Abstract
Background: Identifying common risk factors of otitis media (OM) among children by caregivers, particularly mothers will help in controlling the disease and reducing its adverse outcome.
Objectives: To determine the knowledge of mothers on the risk factors associated with OM and its determinants.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out at multi center in Saudi Arabia among a representative sample of mothers attending Otolaryngology, pediatric and well-baby clinics throughout the study period (January-October, 2018), irrespective of the child` s complaint provided that they had a child aged below 6 years. Data were collected using a modified Ear Infection Survey questionnaire, which included questions regarding the possible risk factors for otitis media.
Results: The study included 218 mothers. Their age ranged between 17 and 55 (33.8 +/- 7.8) years. More than one third of them (39.4%) had more than three children. The most frequently known otitis media risk factors were male gender (94.5%), recurrent chronic rhinitis (84.4%), and absence of breast feeding (80.7%) whereas the lowest known risk factors were no existence of a vaccine (6.4%), Low socio-economic status (12.4%), day care attendance (16.1%) and malnutrition (19.7%). Overall, inadequate knowledge was reported among 71.6% of them. None of the studied risk factors was significantly associated with mothers` knowledge regarding otitis media risk factors.
Conclusion: Mothers, knowledge of otitis media risk factors among their children is suboptimal. Therefore, a public health education campaign targeted mothers of young children is necessary.