Self-care Behaviors of Chronic Otitis Media Patients at Out-Patient Department in Srinagarind Hospital
Abstract
Background: Otitis media is a common middle ear disease that affects patients of all age groups. It is an important health problem because inappropriate self-care can lead to chronic infection and severe complications such as hearing loss or mortality.
Objective: To study the self-care behavior of chronic otitis media patients
Study design: Descriptive research
Setting: Out patient of otolaryngology department, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.
Sampling: Purposive sampling of 135 chronic otitis media patients.
Method: The data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher based on Orem’s self-care theory, during 1stJanuary 2005 to 31stJuly 2006. The data were analyzed by SPSS/FW program using percentage, means and standard deviation
Results: Most of chronic otitis media patients lived in rural areas of Khon Kaen province. Duration of disease of more than one year, have discharge from external ear and have infection 2.80 events per year. Self-care behavior as a whole was in good level (=2.17, S.D. =0.82). The self-care behaviors were the maintenance of sufficient food intake, water and air, the provision of care associated with elimination process and excrement, the the prevention of hazards of ears. follow up, taking medicine, avoid picking out the ear wax by themselves and avoiding self-medication and herbal medicine.
Conclusion: Self-care behavior of chronic otitis media patients was in good level (=2.17, S.D. =0.82). This may be explained in part by the chronicity of disease in most of the patients and continuous patient education that they received, resulting in good self-care behavior.
Key words: chronic otitis media, self-care behavior
