Otitis Media
Otitis Media is a common childhood illness, and is the most common reason for children being prescribed antibiotics. It has been estimated that up to 75 per cent of children will have had Otitis Media at least once by the age of three years. Acute Otitis Media occurs most often in children aged between six and 18 months, but is common up until four years of age.
Otitis Media is of particular concern in relation to Aboriginal children, who are ten times more likely to suffer from it than non-Aboriginal children. The associated hearing loss has a life-long impact, as it occurs during speech and language development and the early school years.
The purpose and intended outcome of the Program is to enhance the capacity of General Practitioners and other primary health care providers to provide high quality treatment for Otitis Media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The aims and objectives of the Otitis Media Program are to:
- increase awareness of the updated Recommendations for Clinical Care Guidelines (the Guidelines) on the management of Otitis Media in Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander populations.
- improve the uptake of best practice service delivery for the prevention, early detection and management of Otitis Media in Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander children and
- increase diagnosis and appropriate referral of Otitis Media in Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander children aged 0-4.
For more details on Otitis Media please contact:
Sepiuta Morgan
Otitis Media Project Officer
t: (03) 5023 8633 f: (03) 5021 4794
