Prevalence and clinical characteristics of otitis externa among patients attending Otorhinolaryngology Department at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20192700Keywords:
Prevalence, Clinical characteristics, Otitis externa, Muhimbili, TanzaniaAbstract
Background: Otitis externa is among the otological diseases with significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers. Little is known in Sub Saharan countries despite being the focus of such disease. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of otitis externa at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania’s largest tertiary hospital.
Methods: This was a hospital based descriptive cross sectional study where 1200 participants were recruited from June 2016 to January 2017. Data was analyzed using SPSS program version 20.
Results: A total of 1200 patients were recruited in this study and majority 601(50.1%) were females. Majority 672(56%) were in age group 0–10 years. Among 1200 patients, 138 (11.5%) were diagnosed to have otitis externa and male predominance (55.1%) was found. Majority 120 (87%) had diffuse otitis externa and with 0-10 years (25.83%) being the commonly affected age group by variant. The commonest risk factor was self-ear cleansing 87(53.7%) and only 2.9% were found to have complications of otitis externa.
Conclusions: Otitis externa was found to be prevalent and with male predominance. Self-ear cleansing was the commonest risk factor. Complications of otitis externa were found to be rare. Public awareness on otitis externa should be advocated in our country.
Metrics
References
Ibiam FA, Godwin O. Acute otitis externa as seen at The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Otolaryngol Online J. 2013;3(2):1-6.
Mösges R, Baues CM, Schröder T, Sahin K. Acute bacterial otitis externa: efficacy and safety of topical treatment with an antibiotic ear drop formulation in comparison to glycerol treatment. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011;27(4):871-8.
Schaefer P, Baugh RF. Acute otitis externa: an update. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(11):1055-61.
Enoz M, Sevinc I, Lapeña JF. Bacterial and fungal organisms in otitis externa patients without fungal infection risk factors in Erzurum, Turkey. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;75(5):721-5.
Manni JJ, Kuylen K. Clinical and bacteriological studies in otitis externa in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1984;9(6):351-4.
Roland NJ, McRae RDR, McCombe AW (eds). Key topics in otolaryngology. 2nd Edition. Oxford, England: BIOS Scientific Publishers; 2001: 210 – 213.
Gray RF, Sharma A, Vowler SL. Relative humidity of the external auditory canal in normal and abnormal ears, and its pathogenic effect. Clin Otolaryngol. 2005;30(2):105-11.
Hollis S, Evans K. Management of malignant (necrotising) otitis externa. J Laryngol Otol. 2011;125(12):1212-7.
Uju IM, Nosa OE. Otologic diseases in a tertiary hospital in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. J. Med. Med. Sci. 2013;4(3):96-100.
Rowlands S, Devalia H, Smith C, Hubbard R, Dean A. Otitis externa in UK general practice: a survey using the UK General Practice Research Database. Br J Gen Pract. 2001;51(468):533-8.
Basak B, Gayen GC, Ray R. Pattern of aural morbidity among children in a rural tertiary care hospital. IOSR J Pharm. 2013;3(7):58.
Amutta SB, Yunusa MA, Iseh KR, Obembe A, Egili E, Aliyu D, et al. Sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of self ear cleaning in Sokoto metropolis. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;2(6):276.
Lee LM, Govindaraju R, Hon SK. Cotton bud and ear cleaning: a loose tip cotton bud? Med J Malaysia. 2005;60(1):85-8.
Dosemane D, Ganapathi K, Kanthila J. Knowledge, attitude and practice of ear care in coastal Karnataka. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(12):MC01–4.
Wade TJ, Sams EA, Beach MJ, Collier SA, Dufour AP. The incidence and health burden of earaches attributable to recreational swimming in natural waters: a prospective cohort study. Environmental Health. 2013;12(1):67.
Neher A, Nagl M, Scholtz AW. Otitis externa. HNO. 2008;56(10):1067-80.
Springer GL, Shapiro ED. Fresh water swimming as a risk factor for otitis externa: a case-control study. Arch Environ Health. 1985;40(4):202-6.
Wang MC, Liu CY, Shiao AS, Wang T. Ear problems in swimmers. J Chin Med Assoc. 2005;68(8):347-52.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
