Otitis Media with Effusion and Factors Associated with it Among Children 4-7 Years Old in Albania

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common health condition among young children. Within a multicenter study involving 16 countries from Balkan to Caspian basin, we assessed the prevalence of this condition and factors associated with it among preschool and primary school-age children in Albania.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of 529 children aged 4-7 years selected randomly in Tirana, the capital of Albania, during April-May 2019. A structured questionnaire was delivered to parents of selected children, comprising various sociodemographic and other exposures. Presence of OME was based on otoscopy and tympanometry at 226 Hz. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with OME.

Results: The overall prevalence of OME in this sample of children (55% males) was 23.1%. After controlling for confounding effects of child age and gender, the major factors significantly associated with the presence of OME were: history of allergy (OR=29), signs of allergy (OR=21), diagnosis of asthma (OR=28), previous upper respiratory and/or ear infections (OR=14 for 1-2 infections and OR=65 for ≥3 infections). Other significant risk factors included diagnosis of cleft palate (OR=6), mother’s higher education (OR=2.0), maternal actual smoking status (OR=3.6), household smoking (OR=4.0), living in overcrowded family (OR=2.6).

Conclusion: The prevalence of OME in this sample of children was rather high, probably due to conducting the survey in spring time. The potential consequences of late diagnosed and/or untreated OME warrant hearing evaluation of affected young children.

Cite this article as: Sallavaci S, Toci E, Stroni G. Otitis media with effusion and factors associated with it among children 4-7 years old in Albania. Balkan ORL-HNS 2024;1(1):12-18.