Prevalence of clinically diagnosed acute otitis media (AOM) in the Philippines: A national survey with a developing country's perspective

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute otitis media (AOM) seems to be a significant public health problem, but national data on its prevalence is lacking. This study aims to determine the prevalence of acute otitis media in the Philippines and characterize this population.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of children 0-12 years old in community health centers and schools was performed, utilizing a multi-stage cluster sampling design.RESULTS: Thirteen areas were included in the survey with 26 household and school clusters, surveying a total of 2,277 children. There were 218 children with clinically diagnosed acute otitis media, with an overall prevalence rate of 9.6%. Among the children with AOM, 108 (10%) were male while 110 (9.2%) were female. There were 32 (14.6%) cases of AOM in the 0-2 year olds, 56 (9.5%) in the 3-6 year olds, and 117 (8.4%) in the 7-12 year old children.CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of clinically diagnosed acute otitis media in the Philippines is 9.6%, with a variables area-specific prevalence. There is no gender predilection, with the 0-2 age group having the most prevalent cases of AOM in the sample.