The incidence and health burden of earaches attributable to recreational swimming in natural waters: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Earaches and outer ear infections are commonly associated with swimming. In this study, we estimated the excess risk and health burden of earaches due to swimming in natural fresh and marine waters using results from a survey of over 50,000 beachgoers at nine beaches across the United States.

Methods

Prospective cohort studies were conducted at four freshwater and five marine sites in the United States and Puerto Rico. Beach visitors were enrolled on summer weekends and holidays. Ten to twelve days after the beach visit, respondents answered questions about health symptoms, including earaches or ear infections experienced since the beach visit. Economic and physical burdens were also obtained. Fixed slope, random intercept (beach site) multivariate logistic regres

SUBMITTER: Wade TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3765573 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature