Factors Associated with Childhood Tonsillitis in Somalia

Abstract

Background: Tonsillitis, acute or chronic, is more common among children than adults. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of tonsillitis among Somali children are not well-defined mainly due to lack of health research in Somalia. The purpose of this study is to identify the main risk factors of childhood tonsillitis to better prevent and avoid further complications of the disease. Methods: The study included the caregivers of 60 children with tonsillitis receiving treatment, at the time of the study, from Garowe General Hospital. A convenience sampling method was used and data were entered into SPSS and analyzed for frequency and percentages. Results: This study shows that the majority of the study participants with tonsillitis 32 (53%) were 1-7 years old and 39 (65%) of the participants were female. Childhood tonsillitis was associated with parents’ lower educational levels: illiterate 32 (53.3%), primary education 20 (33.3%), secondary school 6 (10%), and university level 2 (3.3%). The importance of personal hygiene was believed in by 31 (52%) of the caregivers, while 18 (17%) of the caregivers reported that their children do not brush their teeth at all. The majority of the caregivers 50 (83%) believed that tonsillitis is a disease with less severity. A family history of tonsillitis 49 (82%) was also associated with childhood tonsillitis. Conclusion: Low socioeconomic status, family history of tonsillitis, and poor personal hygiene were all associated with childhood tonsillitis. Furthermore, in addition to tonsillitis, some of the children in this study had malnutrition, asthma, and allergies. To successfully prevent and control childhood tonsillitis, identification of its risk factors is crucial.