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Facial Plast Surg 2025; 41(04): 436-443
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1790569
Original Research

The Prevalence and Awareness of Congenital External Ear Deformity among the School-Age Group: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ali Abdullah Alshehri 
1   Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
,
Asaiel Mubarak Al Hadi
2   College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
,
Lama Hassan Ahmed Alyami
2   College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
,
Ibrahim Nasser Al Sulaiman 
2   College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
,
Enas Mubarak Al Hadi
2   College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
,
Saleh Yahya Al Hareth
2   College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract

Introduction and Purpose Congenital outer ear deformities stem from a sequence of disturbances during fetal auricular cartilage embryonic development. A significant gap exists in understanding their prevalence among the school-age group in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study aims to address this knowledge gap to raise awareness about the impact of such disorders.

Methodology This cross-sectional study targeted parents of children in the school-age group. A multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to ensure the representation of schools. A self-administered Google form survey was used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Results Our study revealed that the majority were males (56.2%), aged 6 to 10 years (49.3%), and attended primary school (69.5%). Chronic illnesses were present in 7.1% of children, with hearing impairment most prevalent (25.9%). Congenital ear deformities affected 2.7% of children, primarily Stahl's ear (35.4%). Limited knowledge about these deformities was observed among respondents (30.3%), yet a significant majority (73.9%) expressed belief in the potential of community awareness to decrease deformity prevalence. The awareness levels were impacted by parental education but showed no significant association with the child's age, gender, or presence of chronic diseases.

Conclusion Our study underscores the noteworthy occurrence of congenital ear deformities among the school-age group, coupled with a notable lack of awareness. Parental education emerges as a key factor influencing awareness levels. It is imperative to prioritize initiatives to bolster awareness and early detection to promote child health.

Keywords

congenital ear deformities - pediatric health - prevalence - awareness - parental education - Saudi Arabia - community awareness

Ethical Considerations

Participation in the survey was voluntary, and participants provided informed consent by marking a checkbox indicating their willingness to participate. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained throughout the study, including data collection and analysis.


Ethical Approval

Initial ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board Committee (IRB) at the Najran University, Faculty of Medicine (IRB number 012961-029283-DS).


Consent to Participate

Participation in the survey was voluntary, and participants provided informed consent by marking a checkbox, indicating their willingness to participate. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained throughout the study, including data collection and analysis.




Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
18. September 2024

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