International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (2004) 68, 557—562 Prevalence of otitis media with effusion among primary school children in Kahramanmaras, in Turkey Erdogan Okur* , Ilhami Yildirim, M. Akif Kilic, Saime Guzelsoy Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Hastane Cad. No. 32, 46050 Kahramanmaras, Turkey Received 25 June 2003; accepted 24 December 2003 KEYWORDS EOM; Prevalence; Primary school Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of oti- tis media with effusion (EOM) in primary school children. Materials and Methods: Between March 2002 and April 2002, children attending primary schools in Kahra- manmaras were screened. The schools were divided into two groups as urban and suburban. Also, a primary boarding school in the city was included in the study as a third group. A total of 2930 children between the ages of 6 and 16 years were in- cluded in the study. After otoscopic examination, tympanogram and acoustic reflex tests were carried out. Audiogram was performed if the child had a type B or a type C tympanogram. Results: EOM was identified in 189 children, in 80 of whom EOM was unilateral and in 109 of whom was it bilateral. The overall prevalence of EOM was 6.5%, with a maximum prevalence of 10.4% at ages between 6 and 8 years. By increasing age, the prevalence of EOM decreased. Also, we found a higher prevalence rate of EOM in children attending primary boarding school (7.6%) than those attending other schools. Conclusions: The present study showed that living in crowded places like boarding school may have a role in the occurrence of OME. Also, our findings sup- port the opinion that the age is one of the most important risk factors for OME. Our prevalence rates were different when compared with some other studies from Turkey and other countries. These different prevalence rates may be related to climatic and environmental factors as well as the methods used. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Otitis media with effusion (OME) is defined as an in- flammation of the middle ear, with fluid in the mid- dle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane, with- * Corresponding author. Tel.: +90-344-221-23-37x359; fax: +90-344-221-23-71. E-mail addresses: erdoganokur@ksu.edu.tr, okurkbb@yahoo.com (E. Okur), yildirimilhami@hotmail.com (I. Yildirim), makilic@doruk.net.tr (M. Akif Kilic), ssguzelsoy@hotmail.com (S. Guzelsoy). out the signs and symptoms of an acute infection. Despite advances in public health and medical care, OME still continues to be significant health problem all around the world. The aetiology of OME is multi- factorial and many different factors are implicated in the pathophysiology of this disease. Information derived from epidemiologic studies can be helpful in elucidating the disease pathology and setting na- tional priorities for prevention and treatment. Most of the reported epidemiologic studies on the preva- lence of OME are from developed nations including USA and Europe. Epidemiologic data coming from 0165-5876/$ — see front matter © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2003.12.014