Community knowledge, attitudes and practices on chronic suppurative otitis media in Kinshasa

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the community understanding, attitudes and practices of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and to identify associated factors.
Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was carried out in communities of the megapole Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of Congo on 488 participants who were interviewed from March 1st to April 30rth 2018. Data consisted of socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes and practices on the disease were collected and analyzed.
Results: Almost 53.3% of participants didn't have otorrhea and 46.5% had chronic otorrhea. Sixty-six percent among them reported not to have access to health education. Both groups ignored that the CSOM could be caused by an upper respiratory tract infection (p=0,144) while the group of participant who had no otitis were not aware of CSOM complications compared to those who had otitis (p<0.0005). The affected group had recourse at the same time of modern, traditional and self-medication. The risk to ignore causes and complications of the disease was multiplied by 3 for the non –educated participants that those who were educated (primary and secondary level).
Conclusions: This study showed there was a need for health education in communities on ENT morbidities in Kinshasa.