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Leach AJ, Homøe P, Chidziva C, Gunasekera H, Kong K, Bhutta MF, Jensen R, Tamir SO, Das SK, Morris P. Panel 6: Otitis media and associated hearing loss among disadvantaged populations and low to middle-income countries. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 130 Suppl 1:109857. [PMID: 32057518 PMCID: PMC7259423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Summarise the published evidence on otitis media and associated hearing loss in low to middle-income countries (LMIC) and disadvantaged populations. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and other databases. REVIEW METHODS: Firstly, sensitive search strategy using ‘otitis media’, combined with specific key words for each topic of the review, from January 2015 to June 2019. Then, restriction to LMIC and disadvantaged populations. Topics covered included prevention, epidemiology, risk factors, microbiology, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high degree of methodological heterogeneity and high risk of bias. The majority of studies were school-based. In Africa, Asia and Oceania (e.g., Australian Aboriginal populations) the prevalence of OM was respectively 8% (range 3–16%), 14% (range 7–22%) and 50% (4–95%). Prevalence of any hearing loss in these regions was 12% (range 8–17%), 12% (range 3–24%), and 26% (range 25–28%) respectively. Risk factors in LMIC and disadvantaged populations included age, gender, exposure to smoke and pollution. Microbiology was reported for otitis media with effusion at time of surgery or ear discharge (acute otitis media with perforation or chronic suppurative otitis media). Specimen handling and processing in hospital laboratories was associated with low detection of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. Case series described complicated cases of OM due to M. tuberculosis, multidrug resistance and HIV. QOL studies identified discrimination of persons with OM and hearing loss. Diagnostic methods varied greatly, from naked eye to tympanometry. Treatment interventions were reported from four RCTs. Non-RCTs included evaluations of guidelines, surgery outcomes, access to ENTs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Chronic suppurative otitis media, otitis media with effusion and conductive hearing loss are common in LMIC and disadvantaged populations. Paucity of research, poor regional representation, non-standardised methods and low-quality reporting preclude accurate assessment of disease burden in LMIC and disadvantaged populations. Awareness and adherence to reporting Guidelines should be promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Jane Leach
- Menzies School of Health Research, John Mathews Building 58, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Rocklands Dr, Tiwi, NT, 0810, Australia.
| | - Preben Homøe
- Køge University Hospital, Copenhagen, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.
| | - Clemence Chidziva
- University of Zimbabwe, Department of Surgery, 630 Churchill Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Hasantha Gunasekera
- University of Sydney, Australia; The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Rd &, Hainsworth St, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
| | - Kelvin Kong
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter ENT, Kookaburra Cct, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| | - Mahmood F Bhutta
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5BE, UK.
| | - Ramon Jensen
- Dept of Oto-rhino-laryngology and Audiology, F 2071 Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK, 2100, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, København, Denmark.
| | - Sharon Ovnat Tamir
- Dept of OTO-HNS, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Assuta University Hospital, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Ashdod, Israel.
| | - Sumon Kumar Das
- Menzies School of Health Research, John Mathews Building 58, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Rocklands Dr, Tiwi, NT, 0810, Australia.
| | - Peter Morris
- Menzies School of Health Research, John Mathews Building 58, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Rocklands Dr, Tiwi, NT, 0810, Australia; Royal Darwin Hospital, Rocklands Dr, Tiwi, NT, 0810, Australia.
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Pediatric hearing screening in low-resource settings: Incorporation of video-otoscopy and an electronic medical record. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 126:109633. [PMID: 31421355 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a sustainable, comprehensive, intervention-based approach to pediatric hearing care in low- and middle income countries (LMICs) where global hearing loss is most heavily concentrated. METHODS Community health workers (CHWs) in Kilifi county, Kenya were trained to conduct hearing screening and video-otoscopy via a unified, smartphone-based platform using mobile electronic medical record (EMR) generation for children diagnosed with hearing loss or other pathology. Among at-risk students pre-selected by their teachers, the frequency of hearing loss and pathology in children with and without hearing loss was measured. RESULTS Of the 155 screened, 16 (10%) children were found to have hearing loss. 12 (5.9%) children with normal hearing had the following pathology: perforation (N = 5 ears), effusion (N = 9), retraction (N = 6), and infections (N = 7). CHWs were also adept at EMR creation without significant delay in workflow. Out of all those screened, 28 (18%) children were found to have hearing loss or other pathology and were referred to follow up. All 28 of 28 children referred were successfully entered into the EMR. CONCLUSIONS CHWs with little to no prior medical experience can provide a much needed public health service - hearing screening in LMICs where access to health care is limited. The incorporation of video-otoscopy provides a more comprehensive approach to hearing care by not only helping identify etiologies of existing hearing disability but also conditions that predispose to future hearing loss. It can easily be performed in conjunction with hearing screenings via the use of a unified, mobile platform. The addition of EMR supports follow-up and allows remote consultation.
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