Knowledge and care seeking practices for ear infections among School Going Adolescent Children of Himachal Pradesh
Background: This study aimed to determine the Knowledge and care seeking practices for ear infections among school going adolescents children of Himachal Pradesh. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional survey among school going adolescents children of the state of Himachal Pradesh was carried out between October 2022 to December 2022 utilising a Google form. Up until 400 replies were gathered, the Google form was distributed among school going adolescents children for responses via online means like email and social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, Facebook and Instagram. We collected data on their socio-demographic traits and awareness about Ear care and hygiene. Epi info v7 software was used to evaluate the data using the necessary statistical tests. Results: A total of 400 respondents took part in the study, with 262 (65.5 percent) were males and 138 (34.5%) were female school children. The mean age of the participants was 15.3±6.1 years. In our study, 381 (97.25%) school children reported that they had knowledge of symptoms of ear infections, 61.5 % (246) had Knowledge about prevention, 116(29%) had Knowledge about treatment, 125 (31.25%) had Knowledge of causes of ear infections, and 289(72.25%) had Knowledge about consequences of infections. 264(66%) school children reported that Hearing loss was the most common consequence of ear infections. While as 47.25% (189) of school children would seek treatment from a health facility, 45.75% (183) would seek help from a traditional healer/ Self-medication/Any medicine by Parents while 7 % (28) would not seek treatment. amily, teachers and health workers were the preferred source of health information for 34.5% (138), 25.5% (102) and 25.25% (101) school children respectively. Practicing of ear self-cleaning was reported by 356 (89%) school children. Conclusion: The majority of school children had good knowledge and positive attitudes and practices about ear infection.