Ear disease in elementary school children in Miraj, India.

Abstract

An otorhinolaryngologic survey of 518 elementary school children was carried out in Miraj, Maharashtra State, India. The incidence of otitis and the invitro sensitivity of the organisms involved is herein reported. An incidence of 12.9% ear disease with 10.4% incidence of chronic otitis media was found. This is 20% higher than the general population in the United States and 5% higher than the Navajo Indians of New Mexico. Of the 67 children with ear disease about 20% have otitis externa and 80% chronic otitis media. In the latter group 88.9% and of course 100% of the otitis externa cases had active otorrhea.