Secretory Otitis Media amongst school-aged children in Nigeria: Prevalence,Risk factors and Diagnostic Criteria of Secretory Otitis Media amongst school children in Benin City Nigeria

Secretory Otitis Media with its associated hearing impairment has been shown to be a common condition amongst school aged children the world-over. This work is a prospective study spanning a period of six months of pupils in selected primary schools in Benin City, Nigeria. Benin City is located in the Southern part of Nigeria. In the study the author looked at the risk factors associated with secretory otitis media, the role of tympanometry in its diagnosis was assessed as well as the more subjective method of otoscopy, where a comparism of both methods was actually made. The prevalence was also determined and a review of relevant literature was done. In concluding the need of a school screening programme to detect this common condition was emphasized and apropriate subsequent management advised.