Mothers' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Care of Otitis Media

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear. This inflammation often begins with infections that cause sore throats, colds or other respiratory problems, and spreads to the middle ear. Infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria, and can be acute or chronic. Anyone can get an ear infection, but children get them more often than adults. In fact, ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor (Perlstein, 2013). Otitis media is a major health problem and occurs with a high incidence and prevalence in both developed and developing countries . Acute suppurative otitis media(ASOM) is a common childhood illness and can progress to chronic suppurative otitis media( CSOM). Although the use of antibiotics for treatment has reduced the number of acute complications, the number of chronic complications appears to be increasing(Ghonaim, etal.,2011).The health-economic burden of this disorder is severe especially in Africa and other developing nations where the disease prevalence could be as high as (11%) with severe economic implications(Akinpelu ,etal.,2008).