Prospective evaluation of the impact of daycare attendance on the prevalence of otitis media with effusion in 6 to 24 months old children in urban Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

The peak age prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) is in early childhood. Day care attendance has been established by various studies as a risk factor for the development of OME.

OBJECTIVE

This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of OME among children aged 6 - 24 months, and the impact of day care center (DCCs) attendance on the OME occurrence.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study conducted in children recruited from DCCs and immunization clinics in Surulere, Lagos state, Nigeria. They were matched mainly on their place of care, at home or at day care center and presence or absence of OME using pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry.

RESULTS

A total of 152 children were studied. Based on their place of care, they were divided into day care attendees 64 (42.1%), and non day care attendees 88 (57.9%). The prevalence of OME was 37.7% overall, 43.7% in the day care attendees and 33.4% in the non day care attendees. Factors found to positively influence the prevalence of OME in this study include: young age 6-12 months, female gender and day care attendance.

CONCLUSION

OME is common in Nigerian children at young age. Day care facility attendance significantly increased OME prevalence.