Trends in health equity and access among children with otitis media in India: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Impact of inequities in childhood can be seen across the life course. India has substantial geographical inequalities in health outcomes. Ear diseases such as otitis media (OM) are associated with social determinants and its equity paradigm needs to be explored. In India, despite improvements in access to health care, inequalities are prevalent in the society that hinders the optimum delivery of health care. Methodology: We conducted literature search in online databases MEDLINE through PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, and Scopus. The articles were screened and reviewed to include 9 articles to discuss the Cochrane acronym, PROGRESS-Plus to identify characteristics to stratify health opportunities and outcomes. Results: After conducting the systematic review, it was found that the socioeconomic status, place of residence, age, and education of the mother played a vital role in the prevalence of OM in children in India. The living standards of parents and awareness about the disease also affected the presence of the disease in the community. Conclusion: This review throws light on the inequities in India and the predisposing factors which are responsible for the occurrence of OM in children. Pediatric and child health organizations, pediatricians, and child health professionals should be aware of the impact of social determinants of health on children. The public sector should ensure that clinical services are affordable and accessible to all children and families within the constraints of their country's health services.