Background

Incidence 

Otitis Media (OM) has a global estimated annual incidence of about 11 per 100 persons with children being the most affected especially those below 5 years old which accounts for ≥50% of the cases. It is estimated that more than 80% of children will have at least 1 episode of Acute OM during their lifetime and this generally decreases as their age increases until middle adulthood.

Estimated incidence by age per 100 children:

• 0-11 months – 45.3
• 1-4 years old – 61
• 5-9 years old – 22.2
• 10-14 years old – 18.5
• 15-19 years old – 3.5