PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF EAR AND HEARING CONDITIONS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ASABA, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Hearing impairment affects 34 million children globally, with prevalence rates of 3.4%–12.8%, often due to infections and fluid buildup. Despite the importance of school-based screenings for early detection, they remain rare in developing countries. This study assessed ear health among students at Uzoigwe Primary School, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 969 students using multiphasic sampling. In Phase 1, trained teachers screened for hearing impairments. In Phase 2, resident doctors performed detailed ear examinations, including otoscopy. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS 22.0. Results showed that 92% of pupils had no ear-related issues. Among the 8% requiring further screening, 2% were diagnosed with conditions such as otalgia, otitis media, cerumen impaction, tinnitus, and hearing impairment. Otalgia was most common, particularly in students aged 10–14. Males had higher chronic otitis media rates, while females had more hearing impairment and cerumen impaction. No significant associations were found between age, sex, or class and these conditions. The study highlighted the need for routine school-based ear screenings. Despite the low prevalence, it enables early intervention and prevents long-term hearing loss and speech delays.