Prevalence of CSOM among rural school going children.

A prospective study was carried out from January 2001 to December 2002 to find the prevalence of CSOM among rural school going children. Altogether 225 students aged 4-13 years from five primary schools and junior high schools of Magura district were interviewed and examined. 28 (12.44%) children were found to have CSOM. Out of these 28 cases, 25 came from lower and 3 from middle income group families. No case of CSOM was found in higher income group family. In this study 73.33% mothers were not aware of CSOM. 60% mothers had no knowledge about treatment and sequelae of CSOM. Only (5.78%) people use cotton bud to clean ear while majority use unhygienic materials like matchstick, cloth with stick and chicken feathers. Treatment seeking pattern was observed in our study. 10.71% cases did not receive any treatment and remaining 89.29% received treatment of which 25% from MBBS doctor or Hospital and 7.14%, 35.71%, 10.71%, 10.71% received it from Kabiraj, Quack, Homeopathy doctor, and salesman of pharmacy respectively.