Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Parents of Under-Five Children with Otitis Media at the Mampong Municipal Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

The study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents of under-five children on otitis media using the Mampong Municipal Hospital. The study used a descriptive qualitative approach. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 participants. Interview guide was employed to gather data and analyzed thematically. It was found that parents were aware of otitis media through health centers but called it in their own local dialect with different names. Otitis media is caused by children putting things in their ear, playing together, improper bathing of children, swimming, overcrowding, and corporal punishment. It can affect the hearing ability, communication, sleeping, appetite, academic performance, and damage the brain for a long time. Moreover, parents believed that otitis media can be cured. Parents identified health care services as the best way to treat otitis media. Healthcare centres in collaboration with District Health Directorate should organize frequent education to nursing parents as well as ante natal attendants on otitis media, symptoms and preventive measures.