Peer-reviewed article
Determinants of Acute Otitis Media in Children: A Case-Control Study in West Java, Indonesia.
Arif Dermawan, Bejo Ropii, Lina Lasminingrum, Wijana Hasansulama, Budi Setiabudiawan ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This case-control study in West Java, Indonesia examined why some children aged 2-5 years develop acute ear infections (otitis media) while others do not. The research identified four main risk factors: allergic rhinitis, exposure to cigarette smoke, stunted growth, and incomplete immunizations. The findings suggest that improving nutrition and immunization rates could help prevent ear infections in children.
Key points
- Allergic rhinitis was associated with 1.92 times higher odds of acute otitis media
- Cigarette smoke exposure was associated with 1.79 times higher odds of acute otitis media
- Stunted growth was associated with 1.48 times higher odds of acute otitis media
- Incomplete basic immunizations were associated with 1.77 times higher odds of acute otitis media
- Study included 168 children with ear infections and 367 children without, aged 24-59 months
Limitations
The study is observational and cannot establish causation, only associations between risk factors and ear infections. The findings are specific to one region in Indonesia and may not generalise to other populations or settings.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is a leading cause of morbidity in children, characterized by fever, otalgia, and hearing loss. If untreated, AOM may progress to chronic complications requiring surgical management. Globally, factors such as allergies, environmental tobacco smoke, and nutritional deficiencies are well-established risk factors, but in Indonesia, particularly rural areas like Bandung Regency, limited awareness and data exacerbate the burden of disease. Smoking prevalence and low immunization rates further increase risks for AOM. Materials and Methods: This case-control study, conducted between September 2019 and February 2020 in Bandung Regency, evaluated risk factors for AOM in children aged 24-59 months. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, anthropometric assessments, and ENT examinations. A total of 168 AOM-positive and 367 AOM-negative children were recruited from primary healthcare facilities. Results: Multivariable analysis identified significant associations with AOM: allergic rhinitis (AOR 1.92), cigarette smoke exposure (AOR 1.79), stunted growth (AOR 1.48), and incomplete basic immunizations (AOR 1.77). These findings highlight the importance of addressing modifiable factors such as nutrition and immunization to reduce AOM incidence. Conclusions: The rhinitis allergy and exposure to cigarette smoke are among the well-established risk factors that our results validate. Additional research is necessary to validate if our findings involving two modifiable risk factors, stunted children and insufficient basic vaccination, may increase the risk of AOM.