A STUDY PROFILE OF SELF EAR CLEANING IN NIGERIAN RURAL COMMUNITY

Adegbiji, Waheed Atilade and Olajide, Gabriel Toye and Olubi, Olawale and Aluko, AbdulAkeem Adebayo (2018) A STUDY PROFILE OF SELF EAR CLEANING IN NIGERIAN RURAL COMMUNITY. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 9 (7). pp. 1-5. ISSN 0976-3031

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Abstract

Background: Self ear cleaning is a common practice among many people despite associated complications. It constitutes a significant proportion of health problems in many settings and its prevalence varies. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, sociodemographic features, clinical presentation, associated complications and management of self ear cleaning in a rural community of Nigeria. Materials and methods: This is a cross sectional community based study of self ear cleaning. The study was carried out over a period of three months between October and December 2017. Interviews assisted questionnaire was administered to obtain data. Results: Prevalence of self ear cleaning was 93.7%. Male respondents were 46.4% while female respondents were 53.6% given a male to female ratio of 1:1.Commonest reason for self ear cleaning was dirty/earwax in 30.2%. Both ears were most commonly cleaned in 51.1%. Right ear in 29.6% was commoner than left ear in 19.3%. Commonly used object in self ear cleaning were sticks, finger and cotton bud in 43.3%, 33.8% and 26.3% respectively. Common clinical features were otalgia, itching ear, dirty ear canal/earwax and hearing loss in 62.3%, 46.9%, 43.9% and 34.1% respectively. Common diagnoses were 33.8% personal hygiene, 24.0% allergy and 17.9% earwax impaction. Complications recorded were impacted foreign body in 35.8%, injury extern a ear in 21.8% and traumatic perforated tympanic membrane in 4.7%. Treatment of other ENT illnesses was 17.6% in participants. Referrals to other specialist were 9.5% of respondents. Conservative/medical treatments were 51.1%. Foreign body removal was recorded in 21.8% of participants Conclusions: Self ear cleaning is a common ear habit among people. A Prevalence of self ear cleaning of 93.7% was recorded in this study. Reasons are ignorant, social as well ear diseases including allergy. The habit is associated with avoidable complications.

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