EVALUATION OF AN OTITIS-MEDIA WITH EFFUSION SCREENING PILOT PROGRAM

Aim. To evaluate an otitis media with effusion (OME) pilot screening p rogramme carried out in a low socioeconomic status population. Methods . The evaluation methodology involved a literature review, key informa nt interviews and evaluation of the programme according to standard sc reening criteria. Operational analysis was carried out in which inputs , outputs and costs were analysed. Results. 731 children were screened . The proportion of the target population screened was 91.2%. Forty ni ne point seven percent (363) of children tested had bilateral OME on a t; least one occasion, of whom 25.3% (92) were referred to otorhinolar yngology (ORL). The average cost of screening each child was $46.10, o f detecting a case of bilateral OME $92.85, and of detecting a case re quiring referral $117.03. Conclusions. The programme demonstrated that a low socioeconomic status population can be successfully screened; t hat the high rate of spontaneous resolution of OME should be taken int o account when designing screening protocols; that screening has signi ficant impact on secondary services; and, screening is likely to have other benefits arising from more frequent contact with children and pa rents. The operational success of the pilot gives no indication, howev er, concerning the long term outcomes of tympanometry screening, The a uthors conclude that further research is required to establish the lon g term benefits of OME screening, and resource requirements.