ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is one of the most common diseases in clinical practice. It affects large number of people. Disease causes disability and mortality because of its ability to cause complications. Patients develop complications because of lack of awareness about the disease, scarce availability of qualified otologists at peripheral areas and economical constraints. This study was conducted to study the awareness about CSOM and its complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients suffering from CSOM attending outpatient department of Ear, Nose and Throat Department were included in this study. After taking proper history and examination to confirm the diagnosis patients were given structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge about CSOM and its complications. RESULTS tabulated and compared with literature. RESULTS: Majority of our patients (77.6%) were from low socio-economic status group. Maximum number of patients was from 3(rd) and 4(th) decade of life. Only 29.5% patients understood perforation in Tympanic Membrane (TM) as a cause for continued discharge. 94% patients did not differentiate between safe and unsafe CSOM. 52.2% had knowledge about entry of water in ear as cause for recurrence of discharge in CSOM. 44.7% said CSOM can be cured by surgery. Only 7.4% said infection can spread to brain, 23.3% knew about collection of pus around ear, 11.9% said it can cause vertigo, but none of them recognized facial nerve palsy as complication of CSOM. 38.8% took self medication and 16.4% consulted qualified ear nose throat (ENT) doctor. CONCLUSION: Although CSOM is a major disease affecting large number of people, awareness regarding disease and its complications is still poor. Mass education programs aimed at educating people about CSOM are need of the hour.
