DANGER OF UNSKILLED HAND TREATMENT OF EAR WAX IMPACTION IN CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING SUB SAHARAN AFRICA

Aremu, Shuaib Kayode and Adegbiji, Waheed Atilade and Adeboye, Kayode Rasaq DANGER OF UNSKILLED HAND TREATMENT OF EAR WAX IMPACTION IN CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING SUB SAHARAN AFRICA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, 8 (8). ISSN 2277 - 8179

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Abstract

Objectives: Paediatric ear wax impaction is common worldwide with scarce hospital based study. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, sociodemographic features, clinical characteristics, clinical presentation, associated complications and management of ear wax impaction among children visiting our health facility. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective hospital based study of children with clinical diagnosis of earwax impaction reviewed and managed in Ear, Nose and Throat department of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria from March 2018 to February 2019. Pretested interviewer assisted questionnaires were administered to obtain data. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 18. Results: Prevalence of paediatric ear wax impaction was 14.9%. Male is predominant in 56.6% with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. 62.2% were urban dwellers. Recurrent and acute (<3 months) ear wax impaction accounted for 44.1% and 29.4% respectively. Bilateral ear wax impaction was 17.5% while right ear wax impaction was 42.7%. Commonest predisposing factors was parental/self ear hygiene in 37.1%. Common clinical presentation were earache in 60.1%, ear blockage in 35.7% and hearing loss in 33.6%. Associated complications were foreign body impaction in 12.6% and otitis externa in 16.1%. Conclusion: Paediatric ear wax impaction is not an uncommon otologic diseases. At presentation majority were associated with complications from unskilled hand removal.

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