Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T02:15:32.690Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Otitis media in Indigenous Australian children: review of epidemiology and risk factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 December 2013

Jake Jervis-Bardy ,
L Sanchez  and
A S Carney
Jake Jervis-Bardy
Affiliation:
ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
L Sanchez
Affiliation:
ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
A S Carney*
Affiliation:
ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Prof A S Carney, Flinders ENT, Department of Surgery, Room 3D204, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia Fax: +61 8 8204 3987 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Otitis media represents a major health concern in Australian Indigenous children (‘Indigenous children’), which has persisted, despite public health measures, for over 30 years.

Methods:

Global searches were performed to retrieve peer-reviewed and ‘grey’ literature investigating the epidemiology of and risk factors for otitis media in Indigenous children, published between 1985 and 2012.

Results:

In Indigenous children, the prevalence of otitis media subtypes is 7.1–12.8 per cent for acute otitis media, 10.5–30.3 per cent for active chronic otitis media and 31–50 per cent for tympanic membrane perforation. The initial onset of otitis media in Indigenous children occurs earlier and persists for longer after the first year of life, compared with non-Indigenous children. Indigenous children are colonised by otopathogens more frequently, at younger ages and with a higher bacterial load. Poor community and domestic infrastructure, overcrowding and exposure to tobacco smoke increase the risk of otitis media in Indigenous children; however, the availability of swimming pools plays no role in the prevention or management of otitis media.

Conclusion:

Despite awareness of the epidemiological burden of otitis media and its risk factors in Indigenous children, studies undertaken since 1985 demonstrate that otitis media remains a significant public health concern in this population.

Keywords

Otitis MediaHealth Services, IndigenousReviewRisk FactorsPrevalenceIncidenceEpidemiology
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Supplement S1 , January 2014 , pp. S16 - S27
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: Review of ear health and hearing among Indigenous peoples. In: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/other-health-conditions/ear/reviews/our-review [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
2Hill, S. Ear disease in Indigenous Australians: a literature review. Australian Medical Student Journal 2012;3:45–9Google Scholar
3Australian Government Department of Health, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health: Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media (middle ear infections). In: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-oatsih-pubs-Syst+review [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
4Moran, D, Waterford, J, Hollows, F, Jones, D. Ear disease in rural Australia. Med J Aust 1979;2:210–12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Kong, K, Coates, HLC. Natural history, definitions, risk factors and burden of otitis media. Med J Aust 2009;191(suppl):S39–43CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Gleeson, M, Scott-Brown, WG. Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. London: Hodder Arnold, 2008;3396–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7McCafferty, G, Lewis, A, Coman, W, Mills, C. A nine-year study of ear disease in Australian Aboriginal children. J Laryngol Otol 1985;99:117–25CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Rebgetz, P, Trennery, P, Powers, J. Incidence of Otitis Media in the First Year of Life. Menzies School of Health Annual Report (Darwin NT); 1988–89. Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Menzies School of Health, 1989Google Scholar
9Australian Doctors Fund: A longitudinal study of aboriginal mothers and infants: eardrum perforations, chlamydial infection and antibiotics. In: http://www.adf.com.au/archive.php?doc_id=135 [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
10Boswell, J, Nienhuys, T, Rickards, F, Mathews, J. Onset of otitis media in Australian Aboriginal infants in a prospective study from birth. Australian Journal of Otolaryngology 1993;1:232–7Google Scholar
11Boswell, J, Nienhuys, T. Onset of otitis media in the first eight weeks of life in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian infants. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1995;104:542–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Boswell, J, Nienhuys, T. Patterns of persistent otitis media in the first year of life in aboriginal and non-aboriginal infants. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1996;105:893–900CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Boswell, J. Presentation of early otitis media in ‘Top End' Aboriginal infants. Aust N Z J Public Health 1997;21:100–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Lehmann, D, Weeks, S, Jacoby, P, Elsbury, D, Finucane, J, Stokes, A et al. Absent otoacoustic emissions predict otitis media in young Aboriginal children: a birth cohort study in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in an arid zone of Western Australia. BMC Pediatr 2008;8:32CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15Lehmann, D, Arumugaswamy, A, Elsbury, D, Finucane, J, Stokes, A, Monck, R et al. The Kalgoorlie Otitis Media Research Project: rationale, methods, population characteristics and ethical considerations. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2008;22:60–71CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing: Evaluation of the sustainability and benefits of swimming pools in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) in South Australia. In: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/oatsih_swimmingpools_apylands-sa [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
17Mackenzie, GA, Carapetis, JR, Leach, AJ, Morris, PS. Pneumococcal vaccination and otitis media in Australian Aboriginal infants: comparison of two birth cohorts before and after introduction of vaccination. BMC Pediatr 2009;9:14CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Australian Government Department of Health: An evaluation of the benefits of swimming pools for the hearing and ear health of young Indigenous Australians. A whole of population study across multiple remote Indigenous communities. In: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-FlindersUniSwimmingPoolReport [8 June 2013]Google Scholar
19Foreman, A. The Aetiology and Prevention of Otitis Media in Indigenous Children in the Northern Territory, Australia. Darwin, Northern Territory: University of Sydney, 1987. In: http://catalogue.flinders.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&CNT=10&HC=1&RelBibID=124427&HostBibID=124427&ProfileCode=984C&SEQ=20131121091121&PID=Z16B84Vu5tkE4ow457NrJ8gRfpZqcNi [20 November 2013]Google Scholar
20Roberts, D, Gracey, M, Spargo, RM. Growth and morbidity in children in a remote aboriginal community in north-west Australia. Med J Aust 1988;148:68–71CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21Kelly, H, Weeks, S. Ear disease in three aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Med J Aust 1991;154:240–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Watson, DS, Clapin, M. Ear health of aboriginal primary school children in the Eastern Goldfields Region of Western Australia. Aust J Public Health 1992;16:26–30CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Australian Doctors Fund: Foreman A, Boswell J, Mathews J. Prevalence of otitis media in Aboriginal children of pre-school age in three Northern Territory rural communities. In: http://www.adf.com.au/archive.php?doc_id=134 [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
24Morris, P, Leach, A, Silberberg, P, Mellon, G, Wilson, C, Hamilton, E et al. Otitis media in young Aboriginal children from remote communities in Northern and Central Australia: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Pediatr 2005;5:27CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25Williams, CJ, Coates, HL, Pascoe, EM, Axford, Y, Nannup, I. Middle ear disease in Aboriginal children in Perth: analysis of hearing screening data, 1998–2004. Med J Aust 2009;190:598–600CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Public Health Bulletin SA Children and Public Health: Sanchez L, Sparrow K, Carney S, Turner D: Whole of population studies of ear health and hearing in remote and urban indigenous school age children in South Australia. In: http://www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/publications/public-health-bulletin.htm [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
27Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Northern Territory Emergency Response Child Health Check Initiative: Follow-up Services for Oral and Ear Health. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012Google Scholar
28Hudson, H, Rockett, I. An environmental and demographic analysis of otitis media in rural Australian Aborigines. Int J Epidemiol 1984;13:73–82CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29Johnston, LC, Feldman, HM, Paradise, JL, Bernard, BS, Colborn, DK, Casselbrant, ML et al. Tympanic membrane abnormalities and hearing levels at the ages of 5 and 6 years in relation to persistent otitis media and tympanostomy tube insertion in the first 3 years of life: a prospective study incorporating a randomized clinical trial. Pediatrics 2004;114:58–67CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30Nelson, SM, Berry, RI. Ear disease and hearing loss among Navajo children – a mass survey. Laryngoscope 1984;94:316–23CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31Teele, DW, Klein, JO, Rosner, B. Epidemiology of otitis media during the first seven years of life in children in greater Boston: a prospective, cohort study. J Infect Dis 1989;160:83–94CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
32Homøe, P, Christensen, RB, Bretlau, P. Prevalence of otitis media in a survey of 591 unselected Greenlandic children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1996;36:215–30CrossRefGoogle Scholar
33World Health Organization, Child and Adolescent Health and Development: Chronic suppurative otitis media: burden of illness and management options. In: http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/activities/hearing_care/otitis_media.pdf [7 June 2013]Google Scholar
34Aboriginal Health: Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey. In: http://aboriginal.childhealthresearch.org.au/kulunga-research-network/waachs.aspx [8 June 2013]Google Scholar
35Gunasekera, H, Knox, S, Morris, P, Britt, H, McIntyre, P, Craig, JC. The spectrum and management of otitis media in Australian indigenous and nonindigenous children: a national study. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007;26:689–92CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36Australian Bureau of Statistics: 4715.0 – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2004-05. In: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4715.0 [8 June 2013]Google Scholar
37Rothstein, J, Heazlewood, R, Fraser, M. Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in remote Far North Queensland: findings of the paediatric outreach service. Med J Aust 2007;186:519–21CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38Engel, J, Anteunis, L, Volovics, A, Hendriks, J, Marres, E. Prevalence rates of otitis media with effusion from 0 to 2 years of age: healthy-born versus high-risk-born infants. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1999;47:243–51CrossRefGoogle Scholar
39Tomonaga, K, Kurono, Y, Mogi, G. The role of nasal allergy in otitis media with effusion: a clinical study. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1988;105:41–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
40Prellner, K, Kalm, O, Harsten, G, Heldrup, J, Oxelius, VA. Pneumococcal serum antibody concentrations during the first three years of life: a study of otitis-prone and non-otitis-prone children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1989;17:267–79CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41Kvaerner, KJ, Tambs, K, Harris, J, Magnus, P. Distribution and heritability of recurrent ear infections. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1997;106:624–32CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42Lubianca Neto, JF, Hemb, L, Silva, DB. Systematic literature review of modifiable risk factors for recurrent acute otitis media in childhood. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2006;82:87–96CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
43Kadhim, AL, Spilsbury, K, Semmens, JB, Coates, HL, Lannigan, FJ. Adenoidectomy for middle ear effusion: a study of 50,000 children over 24 years. Laryngoscope 2007;117:427–33CrossRefGoogle Scholar
44Wald, ER, Dashefsky, B, Byers, C, Guerra, N, Taylor, F. Frequency and severity of infections in day care. J Pediatr 1988;112:540–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
45Pukander, J, Luotonen, J, Sipilau, M, Timonen, M, Karma, P. Incidence of acute otitis media. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1982;93:447–53CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
46Paradise, JL, Rockette, HE, Colborn, DK, Bernard, BS, Smith, CG, Kurs-Lasky, M et al. Otitis media in 2253 Pittsburgh-area infants: prevalence and risk factors during the first two years of life. Pediatrics 1997;99:318–33CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
47Uhari, M, Mäntysaari, K, Niemelä, M. Meta-analytic review of the risk factors for acute otitis media. Clin Infect Dis 1996;22:1079–83CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
48Monasta, L, Ronfani, L, Marchetti, F, Montico, M, Brumatti, LV, Bavcar, A et al. Burden of disease caused by otitis media: systematic review and global estimates. PLoS One 2012;7:e36226CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
49Klein, JO. Otitis media. Clin Infect Dis 1994;19:823–32CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
50Leach, AJ, Boswell, JB, Asche, V, Nienhuys, TG, Mathews, JD. Bacterial colonisation of the nasopharynx predicts very early onset and persistence of otitis media in Australian aboriginal infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1994;13:983–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
51Watson, K, Carville, K, Bowman, J, Jacoby, P, Riley, T, Leach, AJ et al. Upper respiratory tract bacterial carriage in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in a semi-arid area of Western Australia. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006;25:782–90CrossRefGoogle Scholar
52Faden, H, Duffy, L, Wasielewski, R, Wolf, J, Krystofik, D, Tung, Y. Relationship between nasopharyngeal colonisation and the development of otitis media in children. J Infect Dis 1997;175:1440–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
53Smith-Vaughan, H, Byun, R, Nadkarni, M, Jacques, NA, Hunter, N, Halpin, S et al. Measuring nasal bacterial load and its association with otitis media. BMC Ear, Nose Throat Disord 2006;6:10CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
54Moore, HC, Jacoby, P, Taylor, A, Harnett, G, Bowman, J, Riley, TV et al. The interaction between respiratory viruses and pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of asymptomatic Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2010;29:540–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
55Pukander, J, Luotonen, J, Timonen, M, Karma, P. Risk factors affecting the occurrence of acute otitis media among 2-3-year-old urban children. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1985;100:260–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
56Fliss, D, Shoham, I, Leiberman, A, Dagan, R. Chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma in children in southern Israel: incidence and risk factors. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1991;10:895–9Google ScholarPubMed
57Da Costa, JL, Navarro, A, Neves, JB, Martin, M. Household wood and charcoal smoke increases risk of otitis media in childhood in Maputo. Int J Epidemiol 2004;33:573–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
58Bailie, R, Stevens, M, McDonald, E, Brewster, D, Guthridge, S. Exploring cross-sectional associations between common childhood illness, housing and social conditions in remote Australian Aboriginal communities. BMC Public Health 2010;10:147CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
59Jacoby, P, Carville, KS, Hall, G, Riley, TV, Bowman, J, Leach, AJ et al. Crowding and other strong predictors of upper respiratory tract carriage of otitis media-related bacteria in Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2011;30:480–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
60Jacoby, PA, Coates, HL, Arumugaswamy, A, Elsbury, D, Stokes, A, Monck, R et al. The effect of passive smoking on the risk of otitis media in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region of Western Australia. Med J Aust 2008;188:599–603CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
61Bailie, RS, Stevens, M, McDonald, EL. The impact of housing improvement and socio-environmental factors on common childhood illnesses: a cohort study in Indigenous Australian communities. J Epidemiol Community Health 2012;66:821–31CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
62Bailie, RS, Wayte, KJ. Housing and health in Indigenous communities: key issues for housing and health improvement in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Aust J Rural Health 2006;14:178–83CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
63Sabella, C. Management of otorrhea in infants and children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2000;19:1007–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
64Pringle, M. Grommets, swimming and otorrhoea – a review. J Laryngol Otol 1993;107:190–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
65Lee, D, Youk, A, Goldstein, NA. A meta-analysis of swimming and water precautions. Laryngoscope 2009;109:536–40CrossRefGoogle Scholar
66Carbonell, R, Ruíz-García, V. Ventilation tubes after surgery for otitis media with effusion or acute otitis media and swimming. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2002;66:281–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
67Nystad, W, Njå, F, Magnus, P, Nafstad, P. Baby swimming increases the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and otitis media. Acta Paediatr 2003;92:905–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
68Bernard, A, Carbonnelle, S, Dumont, X, Nickmilder, M. Infant swimming practice, pulmonary epithelium integrity, and the risk of allergic and respiratory diseases later in childhood. Pediatrics 2007;119:1095–103CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
69Lehmann, D, Tennant, MT, Silva, DT, McAullay, D, Lannigan, F, Coates, H et al. Benefits of swimming pools in two remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia: intervention study. BMJ 2003;327:415–19CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
70Silva, DT, Lehmann, D, Tennant, MT, Jacoby, P, Wright, H, Stanley, FJ. Effect of swimming pools on antibiotic use and clinic attendance for infections in two Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Med J Aust 2008;188:594–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
71Stephen, AT, Leach, AJ, Morris, PS. Impact of swimming on chronic suppurative otitis media in Aboriginal children: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust 2013;199:51–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
72Mathew, AA, McDonnell, CJ, Benson, J, Taylor, HR. Effect of swimming pools on antibiotic use and clinic attendance for infections in two Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Med J Aust 2009;191:410–11CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
73Abrahams, SW, Labbok, MH. Breastfeeding and otitis media: a review of recent evidence. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2011;11:508–12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
74Håberg, SE, Bentdal, YE, London, SJ, Kværner, KJ, Nystad, W, Nafstad, P. Prenatal and postnatal parental smoking and acute otitis media in early childhood. Acta Paediatr 2010;99:99–105CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
75Ilicali, ÖC, Keleş, N, Deger, K, Sàgun, ÖF, Güldíken, Y. Evaluation of the effect of passive smoking on otitis media in children by an objective method: urinary cotinine analysis. Laryngoscope 2009;111:163–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
76Strachan, DP, Cook, DG. Health effects of passive smoking. 4. Parental smoking, middle ear disease and adenotonsillectomy in children. Thorax 1998;53:50–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed