Prevalence of otitis media in children attending a Primary Health Care Center in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Otitis media is an inflammatory disease of the mucosal lining middle ear. It occurs more frequently in children due to shorter and horizontal eustachian tube their ears. The focus this study determining prevalence otitis aged 6 months – 10 years attending a primary health care facility Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. Fifty swabs from ear discharge imparted wax were obtained subjects regardless whether they presenting with symptoms or not. Information on certain symptoms, as well demographic risk factors was through use questionnaires. A 54% study. following bacterial species isolated: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25.7%), Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.3%), Staphylococcus aureus Proteus mirabilis (8.6%), Coagulase negative Staphylococci (8.6%) vulgaris (3.7%). infection observed be higher age range, six two years. Risk such cotton buds cleaning ear, posture child during breast-feeding not being exclusively breast-fed shown very prominent among studied. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that Gram bacteria isolated, resistant than antibiotics. all antibiotics except Ceftriaxone, Streptomycin Cefuroxime. On other hand, susceptible tested exception Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone Ampiclox. Therefore, it recommended antibiotic testing conducted before treatment children. importance exclusive good personal hygiene should emphasized nursing mothers.
 Key words: media, Children, Bacteria, Antibiotics, Zaria