A cluster randomised trial of an intervention in women's groups for the identification, prevention and treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media in the children of Jumla, Nepal.

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Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a common, preventable cause of deafness, chronic ill-health and, rarely, death in children in low resource countries. CSOM arises as a complication of untreated acute otitis media (AOM), which is almost universal in young children. Ear infections are so common, that they can seem normal and of low health priority (Monasta et al., 2012; World Health Organisation, 2004). Acute ear infections are simple and inexpensive to treat, which prevents CSOM, yet many children receive no assessment or intervention. CSOM is a disease of poverty and its social determinants. Low parental education level, low parental income, malnutrition, overcrowding, lack of clean water and sanitation are all associated with increased risk of CSOM. The children most at risk of CSOM are also the ones with least access to health education and health care. The main aims of this research are to design and deliver an intervention, appropriate to the cultural context, to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of women regarding the ear health in children and to decrease the prevalence of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) in children. The research hypothesis is that the intervention will increase the KAP of the women and reduce the prevalence of CSOM in the children.