Cross-sectional Study on Pattern of Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders among School Children in a Rural Area of West Bengal

Abstract

Background: Ear, Nose and Throat diseases are common in school going children who often miss school dueto these illnesses. ENT diseases have not been given due importance by majority of the school authorities. Theimportance of ENT diseases screening is to identify the children at-risk, which may hamper their scholasticperformance, and to refer them for detailed investigation and intervention.Objectives: 1. To find out the pattern of common Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders among School children. 2. Tofind out the association if any regarding ENT morbidities and socio-demographic variables of the parents.Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive observational type of cross-sectional design. The school waschosen by random sampling method. Data were collected by interviewing the school children with a pre-designedand pretested schedule. Clinical examinations were done with the help of a check list containing the standardanswer and definition of ENT morbidities. Collected data were analysed and proportions and Chi-square testwere done.Results: Among study population 52.6% were female and most of the children (63.5%) were < 14 years of agegroup. 61.6% having some form of ENT morbidities. Literacy status of parents and economic condition of thefamily were significantly associated with ENT morbidities.Conclusion: Urgent need for health education and regular Ear, Nose and Throat check-up among the schoolchildren to increase their level of awareness and knowledge regarding ENT diseases and also decrease morbidities