indian council of medical research - Pondicherry University DSpace ...

and elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) by the year 2,000 AD"(Pandav and
Anand,l995). Tamil Nadu is one of the states where sale of noniodized salt 1s banned
by the government.
jh) Chronlc suppurative otitis media (CSOM]
Chronic suppuratlve otitis media (CSOM) is an important cause of morbidity in school
age children. It is seen in developed countries also. Surveys in the USA and England
have shown a prevalence of 3.0%-5.0% of chronic otitis media in children
(Johonnott,l973). It was observed that in Alaska, the prevalence was much higher in
those children with poorer sanitation and socioeconomic status than in those with better
sanitation and socioeconomic status (18.3% vs. 4.4% respectively: Johonnott.1973). In
India, the prevalence of CSOM varied from 9.0%-15.0% (Khanna et a1..1995). It is an
important cause of deafness in children. Studies have shown that more than 50.0% of
children with CSOM have got impaired hearing (Table5.6)
[il Deafness
School children in India are generally not screened for hearing loss during routine
health checkup. Few studies carried out have shown a prevalence ranging froill
11 9%-17.2% (Kapoor,l965; Tuli et a1,,1988; Verma et al..l995).Conductive loss,
commonly due to CSOM was found to be the most common cause of deafness In a
study from Haryana, it was observed that 71.6% of children with hearing loss had
CSOM (Verma et a1.,1995). Deafness is more common in rural areas than urban areas.
The higher prevalence is attributed to improperly managed upper respiratory infectlons.
low literacy, lack of health consciousness, malnutrition and swimming in dirty ponds
(Tuli et a/., 1988).