Te-Yung Fang1, Eric Rafai2, Pa-Chun Wang3, Chiy-Huey Bai4, Peng-Long Jiang5, Shu-Nuan Huang5, You-Ju Chen6, Yi-Ting Chao7, Chen-Hsu Wang8, Chia-Hsiu Chang9. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Fu Jen Catholic University School of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan. 2. Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji. 3. Department of Otolaryngology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Fu Jen Catholic University School of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: drtony@seed.net.tw. 4. School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. 5. Department of Nursing, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 6. Department of Pharmacy, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 7. International Medical Affairs, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 8. Medical Intensive Care Unit, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 9. Department of Cardiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Otitis media (OM), as a common infectious disease, is a major cause of hearing impairment among the general population. OM remains a major public health threat in the Pacific islands, but the risks of OM have not been thoroughly explored in this region. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence, clinical features, and quality-of-life impacts of OM in Fiji. METHODS: In the medical service trip entitled "Healing and Hope - Taiwan Cathay Heart and Hearing Medical Mission to Fiji" (TCHHMMF), we conducted a cross-sectional OM survey study in Suva and Sigatoka areas (Korolevu, Cuvu, and Lomawai) in the summer of 2015. The otitis media - 6 (OM-6) was used to survey the OM-related quality of life. RESULTS: In the 467 pediatric patients (aged 0-18 years old) screened, 13 (2.78%) have acute otitis media (AOM), 37 (7.92%) have otitis media with effusion (OME), and 19 (4.1%) have chronic otitis media (COM). Age (OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.77) is a significant predictor of AOM, whereas male gender (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.13-5.37), smoke exposure (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.01-7.82), and concomitant chronic sinusitis (OR 6.05, 95% CI: 2.31-15.88) are significant predictors of OME. The mean OM-6 item scores are highest in caregiver concerns (3.8), physical suffering (3.7), and hearing loss (3.4) domains. CONCLUSION: OM is an important primary care disease in Fiji that remains under-served. It is critical to educate professionals, parents, and patients to detect and to improve care for OM.
OBJECTIVE:Otitis media (OM), as a common infectious disease, is a major cause of hearing impairment among the general population. OM remains a major public health threat in the Pacific islands, but the risks of OM have not been thoroughly explored in this region. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence, clinical features, and quality-of-life impacts of OM in Fiji. METHODS: In the medical service trip entitled "Healing and Hope - Taiwan Cathay Heart and Hearing Medical Mission to Fiji" (TCHHMMF), we conducted a cross-sectional OM survey study in Suva and Sigatoka areas (Korolevu, Cuvu, and Lomawai) in the summer of 2015. The otitis media - 6 (OM-6) was used to survey the OM-related quality of life. RESULTS: In the 467 pediatric patients (aged 0-18 years old) screened, 13 (2.78%) have acute otitis media (AOM), 37 (7.92%) have otitis media with effusion (OME), and 19 (4.1%) have chronic otitis media (COM). Age (OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.77) is a significant predictor of AOM, whereas male gender (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.13-5.37), smoke exposure (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.01-7.82), and concomitant chronic sinusitis (OR 6.05, 95% CI: 2.31-15.88) are significant predictors of OME. The mean OM-6 item scores are highest in caregiver concerns (3.8), physical suffering (3.7), and hearing loss (3.4) domains. CONCLUSION: OM is an important primary care disease in Fiji that remains under-served. It is critical to educate professionals, parents, and patients to detect and to improve care for OM.
Authors: Peter R Thorne; Elizabeth Al Holt; Vili Nosa; Oh Chunghyeon; Sepiuta Lopati; Sione Pifeleti; Michael Maslin; Judith McCool; Berlin Kafoa Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2019-09-03 Impact factor: 9.408