Successful assault on ear disease: intensive daily treatment by nurses and health workers.

A survey of 213 children between the ages of three and 13 years in a small western New South Wales town in February, 1978, revealed that 43% of 153 Aboriginal children and 7% of 60 white children were suffering from active ear disease. Sixteen per cent of Aboriginal children also had a significant hearing loss. A relationship was found between growth retardation and the presence of ear disease. Non-medical health-care personnel were given special training in the detection and treatment of ear disease, and an intensive treatment and community awareness programme was begun. Fifteen months later, only 28% of 138 Aboriginal children and 3% of 65 white children were suffering from active ear disease, and only 3% of Aboriginal children had a significant hearing loss. The futility of sporadic treatment of ear disease in children and the desirability of a coordinated programme of treatment and prevention are discussed.