Prevalence of middle ear effusion (MEE) and other middle ear problems among apparently healthy children in some selected primary schools in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Middle ear effusion (MEE) is the commonest ear problem affecting children less than 6 years and is a threat to deafness which is common in our environment. Tympanometry is used to determine MEE and other problems of the middle ear. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of middle ear effusion and other middle ear problems among apparently healthy school children in some selected schools in Kano Metropolis. The study was in four primary schools located in Kano metropolis where socio-demographic characteristics of the participants (whose parents consented) were recorded, and pneumatic tympanometry was conducted. The participants were 150 school children (78 males and 72 females) aged 4-12 years and were selected using stratified sampling technique, with mean age of 9.8 ± 2.2 years. Results showed that Cronbach’s alpha was > 85% for both intra and inter-observer error estimate. In all the measured parameters, significant sexual dimorphism was only found in the right ear cavity volume (Rt ECV) with males having higher values (p<0.05). Majority of the pupils (82%) had normal (type A) tympanogram, 6% had flat (type B) which signifies middle ear effusion, 5.4% had type C tympanogram which signifies negative middle ear pressure and clinically eustachian tube dysfunction, 5.6% had type As (osteosclerosis of the middle ear), and 1% has Ad type (ossicular discontinuity). Age, height & weight correlated significantly with one or more of the measured ear parameters of the left or right in both sexes. The prevalence of MEE among school-aged children in Kano metropolis is alarming and is a threat to deafness. Therefore, clinicians should be more suspicious and include routine ear examination for children in their practice to detect uncomplicated MEE.