Comparison of caregiver otitis media risk factor knowledge in suburban and urban primary care environments

Benefit of Educational Video on Parental Knowledge, Attitude and Practice About Middle Ear Infection in Children

The aim of the study was to determine the benefit of educational video on parental knowledge, attitude and practice about risk factors of middle ear infection in children. An educational video was developed in English with information on anatomy of the ear, signs and symptoms, risk factors, consequences, prevention, and management related to ear infections. A KAP (Knowledge, attitude and practice) questionnaire was also developed comprising of 33 questions. Parents were requested to fill the questionnaire online and after watching the educational video they were asked to fill the same questionnaire after 1 month. 61 parents responded to both pre questionnaire and post questionnaire. In knowledge domain, thirty five parents gave correct answers to more than sixty percent of questions in the pre questionnaire and fifty six parents gave correct answers to more than sixty percent of the question in the post questionnaire. In attitude domain, all sixty one parents gave correct answers to more than sixty percent of questions in the pre questionnaire. In practice domain, twenty six parents gave correct answers to more than sixty percent of questions in the pre questionnaire and forty nine parents gave correct answers to more than sixty percent of the question in the post questionnaire after watching the educational video. Using the test of proportion, there was statistically significant difference in scores in pre questionnaire and post questionnaire in knowledge and practice domain. In the present study, there was statistically significant improvement in parents overall knowledge and practice about middle ear infection after watching the educational video.

Parent information needs and experience regarding acute otitis media in children: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Acute otitis media (AOM)-inflammation of the middle ear-is the most common pediatric condition, affecting up to 75 % of children at some time before age 5 years. Despite the high incidence of AOM in children, it presents diverse challenges to parents who do not have accurate information on AOM and its management.

OBJECTIVE

To respond to this paucity of information we sought to synthesize the literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of parental information needs and experiences relating to AOMmanagement. This systematic review is an important first step in developing parent-informed knowledge translation tools for AOM to bridge the knowledge-practice gap.

PATIENT INVOLVEMENT

None.

METHOD

Four electronic databases were searched and articles were screened according to pre- established inclusion criteria. Articles were included in the review if they (1) examined parental information needs and experiences with respect to AOM; (2) were written in English; and (3) were published from January 2000 onward.

RESULTS

Out of 1121 articles retrieved, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings from this review revealed that parents' knowledge about AOM is generally limited. Further, parents were often poorly informed about what AOM was, which resulted in uncertainty about how to help their child with AOM.

DISCUSSION

Our review findings illustrate that parents of children with AOM have pervasive unmet information needs and information deficits negatively impact AOM management, child and family well-being.

PRACTICAL VALUE

Parental experiences and information needs identified through this review were used to develop innovative, evidence-based knowledge translation tools for parents of children with AOM.

A study of knowledge, attitude and practices about otitis media in parents in Navi-Mumbai

Although otitis media poses a serious health risk in developing countries, being a frequent occurrence in children below five years of age, parental awareness and practices about otitis media have not been adequately researched. Present cross-sectional study was undertaken in Navi Mumbai schools, from October 2019 to December 2019, wherein parents with children ≤5 years of age answered a questionnaire which gathered data on their knowledge, attitude and practices about otitis media in their wards. Chi-square tests, Cramer’s V were used to study association between gender, age-group and education of parents with their knowledge, practice and attitude about otitis media. Out of 425 valid responses, overall most parents displayed adequate knowledge (77%), positive attitude (61%) and good care-seeking practices (70%). There was a positive correlation of knowledge and practice with level of education. This study shows acceptable levels of knowledge, attitude and practices in parents about otitis media. Parents who did not seek treatment from health centre attributed the behaviour to poverty, ignorance and lack of health insurance. The positive correlation of knowledge and practices with level of education highlights the importance of role of education in modifying parental awareness and care seeking behaviour. Our findings call for a need to further strengthen community-based healthcare and improve parental confidence in healthcare services for early detection and adequate treatment of otitis media.

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Paediatric Ear Infections in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A quantitative study

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and care-seeking practices of parents towards childhood ear infections in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between April and June 2018. An online survey was sent to a random selection of parents who were ≥18 years old with children of ≤10 years old. Associations between parental knowledge, attitude, care-seeking practices, socioeconomic status, level of education and age were assessed using the chi square test and logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 782 subjects participated in this study (response rate: 78.2%). Most respondents were knowledgeable (76.2%), had a positive attitude (78.9%) and had positive care-seeking practices (89.5%). There was a statistically significant difference on both bivariate and multivariate analyses (P <0.05) between parental care seeking practice and knowledge. Parents who sought modern approaches to treatment were found to be almost nine times more likely to have a good attitude towards ear infections than those who did not seek treatment (odds ratio = 8.907, 95% confidence interval = 2.655–34.928; P <0.001). A statistically significant relationship was found between good care-seeking practice and age, as well as socioeconomic status (P <0.05 each).

Conclusion

This study showed that knowledge, attitude and practice regarding paediatric ear infections were positive in the majority of parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Future studies should assess other factors that enhance the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding ear infections.

Epidemiology, natural history, and risk factors: panel report from the Ninth International Research Conference on Otitis Media

The 2007 Recent Advances in Otitis Media Research Conference Panel Report provides an update on otitis media (OM) research published from 2003 to 2007. This report summarizes important trends in disease incidence and prevalence, describes established and newly identified risk factors for acute and chronic OM and OM with effusion, and conveys information on newly discovered genetic factors. In this report, researchers have described declining rates of OM diagnosis, antibiotic prescriptions, offices visits for OM, and middle ear surgery since the licensure and routine use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants. The panel report also recommends short and long term goals for current and future OM research.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to risk factors for otitis media in a rural South Indian community

OBJECTIVES

(a) To study knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to risk factors of otitis media in a rural South Indian Community where the prevalence of otitis media is high. (b) To discover the association between parental education, socioeconomic status (SES) and family type (nuclear or joint) with knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding risk factors for otitis media.

METHODS

Using a cluster sampling design, the caregivers of 150 children attending daycare were interviewed to note knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to risk factors for otitis media. Data on level of education of the caregiver, house type (an indicator of SES) and type of family structure were noted. A questionnaire was administered to collect all the relevant data. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed to note frequencies. Correlations between sociodemographic parameters and knowledge, attitudes and practices were studied using Chi-square test of proportions.

RESULTS

Over 50% of the population showed knowledge deficits with regard to the various risk factors for otitis media. Caregivers from nuclear families were slightly less knowledgeable regarding lack of immunization and household smoke as risk factors for the disease. There was no correlation between any of the sociodemographic factors and attitudes. However, educated mothers were more likely than illiterate mothers to clean their children's ears of wax on a regular basis with the belief that it would prevent ear disease (p=0.05). Treatment practices in the community were more or less uniform in that earache was either disregarded (26.4%) or treated with home remedies (67.2%) by most caregivers, while a doctor's opinion was often sought for ear discharge (50%). Parents of higher SES were more likely to use home remedies than those of lower SES (p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic factors as well as poor knowledge and attitudes and unhealthy practices with respect to risk factors of otitis media contribute to the high prevalence of otitis media in this rural South Indian community. Health education regarding risk factors and provision of accessible health care is essential to reduce the disease burden.