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Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences
of Ear Nose Throat (ENT) diseases in two primary schools in Ankara with
different socioeconomic levels.
Methods: The study was conducted on 484 children, 243 males and
241 females, attending two primary schools in Ankara, one in the
city-center and one in the village, in April and May 2004. First, the
families filled a questionnaire then children had otorhinolaryngological
examination.
Results: In both primary schools, children who were breastfed for
6 months or more had significantly fewer attacks of acute otitis media,
upper respiratory tract infections and acute tonsillitis when compared
to children who were not breastfed. Children who exposed to cigarette
smoke had significantly more attacks of acute otitis media, upper
respiratory tract infections and acute tonsillitis when compared to the
children who did not expose to cigarette smoke. According to the
questionnaire filled by the parents before the otorhinolaryngological
examination, no significant difference was found for upper respiratory
tract infections and acute tonsillitis attacks between the children in
the city-center and in the village. A significant difference was found
with regard to breastfeeding, presence of a room belonging to the child,
smoking near the child and way of heating of the home between the
schools in the city-center and the village.
Conclusion: We concluded that breastfeeding decreased the
prevalence of otorhinolaryngological disorders while passive smoking
increased this prevalence. Socioeconomic level did not affect the
prevalence of otorhinolaryngological disorders. |
