Survey of K-3rd-Grade Teachers' Knowledge of Ear Infections and Willingness to Participate in Prevention Programs

Purpose: Ear infections are prevalent in kindergarten through 3(rd)-grade (K-3(rd)) children and can affect their performance at school. Chewing gum, when administered by parents and teachers, can help prevent ear infections in children. This pilot study surveyed K-3(rd)-grade teachers in the Santa Barbara School Districts to assess their knowledge about ear infections and their willingness to participate in ear infection prevention programs. Method: A 37-item questionnaire was developed and was e-mailed to a convenience sample of 112 teachers in February 2010. Results: Response rate was 26%; 29 teachers responded. Most respondents were experienced females >= 36 years of age who said that their education provided no information about ear infections. Less than half said that they knew signs of ear infections or that ear infections could be prevented, but more than half believed that ear infections could hinder children's development and quality of life. All of the schools and almost all of the teachers did not permit chewing gum on campus or in their classrooms, but most teachers said they would participate in ear infection prevention programs, let students chew xylitol gum if it prevented ear infections, and wanted more information on this topic. Conclusion: Although teachers said they would participate in ear infection prevention programs, obstacles were identified that could preclude the use of xylitol chewing gum. Prevention programs should be developed, but xylitol gum prophylaxis regimens may be better directed at in-home use.