Otoscopic and Audiologic Findings in an Ati Community in Boracay

Authors

  • Maria Rina T. Reyes-Quintos The Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura; University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila
  • Regie Lyn P. Santos The Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura; University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila
  • Ma. Leah C. Tantoco The Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura
  • Rodante A. Roldan University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila
  • Kathleen R. Fellizar University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila
  • Meliza Anne M. Dalizay-Cruz The Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura
  • Generoso T. Abes The Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura; University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila
  • Charlotte M. Chiong The Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura; University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v22i1-2.791

Keywords:

Hearing loss, chronic suppurative otitis media, Boracay, indigenous community, Ati, Aeta

Abstract

Background: Certain indigenous populations have been noted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have the highest prevalence rates for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), including the Australian Aborigines (28-43%), Greenlanders (2-10%) and Alaskan Eskimos (2-10%).

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of common ear problems, particularly CSOM, among the indigenous Ati or Aeta community in Bolabog, Boracay, and to determine their hearing sensitivity using screening audiometry.

Methods:

             Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

            Setting: A small Ati community in Bolabog, Boracay.

            Population: A total of 63 adults and children underwent medical interview and                             otoscopy. Additionally 24 had their hearing screened by audiometry.

Results: About a quarter of the population participated in the study, including 41 children (40% of all children) and 22 adults (18% of all adults). Forty-six percent of children and 23% of adults who were examined had previous history of ear discharge, while 22% of children and 45% of adults who were examined had history of hearing loss. Seventeen percent of children had history of hearing loss in the family. CSOM was found in 18 (43.90%) children and 8 (36.36%) adults. Impacted cerumen was found in 17.1% of children. Eleven female children underwent screening audiometry.  Of these, eight had normal hearing and three had abnormal findings. Thirteen adults were also tested, five of whom were male and had normal hearing bilaterally. Four of eight female adults had abnormal hearing, of which three were unilateral.

Conclusions: The Ati population in Bolabog, Boracay belongs to a group with the highest prevalence rates for CSOM (27.0%). A bigger sample for screening audiometry is required for proper estimation of hearing loss prevalence. Both environmental and genetic factors may have increased the prevalence of CSOM in the Ati population of Boracay.

 

Keywords:     Hearing loss, chronic suppurative otitis media, Boracay, indigenous community, Ati, Aeta

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Published

2007-11-28

How to Cite

1.
Reyes-Quintos MRT, Santos RLP, Tantoco MLC, Roldan RA, Fellizar KR, Dalizay-Cruz MAM, Abes GT, Chiong CM. Otoscopic and Audiologic Findings in an Ati Community in Boracay. Philipp J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg [Internet]. 2007 Nov. 28 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];22(1-2):19-21. Available from: https://pjohns.pso-hns.org/index.php/pjohns/article/view/791

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