Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness ofHazards Associated with Use of Cotton Bud in a Nigerian Community

Background: Self-cleaning of ears with a cotton bud is a common practice, and the hazards asso-ciated with such action are well documented. The aim of this study is to find out the knowledge,attitude and awareness on the use of cotton buds among the people of Bida community. Designand Methodology: It is a community based cross sectional descriptive study carried out amongpeople of Bida community. Subjects were selected by multistage sampling technique. Pre-testedsemi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 278 young adults and adults’ res-pondents. Results: There were a total number of 278 responses out of 290 respondents inter-viewed (M:F = 1:1.03). Age range was from 18 to 65 years with a mean of 29.64 ± 10.06 SD. Thehighest response was in the age group of 20 - 29 years. About 72.3% of the respondents had ter-tiary education, and 40.3% were civil servants. Majority (92.8%) of the respondents had indulged in the use of cotton buds to clean their ears. Most (57.8%) of those that had used cotton buds didso because of itching in the ears. Only 44.9% of respondents agreed that cotton buds could causedamage to the ears. Many (61.2%) believed that there was benefit of using cotton buds in cleaningthe ears. Majority of the respondents (74.1%) had not got information on the danger of using cot-ton bud in cleaning their ears. Conclusion: From our data in this study, majority of the subjects had indulged in the use of cotton bud in cleaning their ears. And the commonest reason for usingcotton buds is due to itching in the ears. Their Knowledge, attitude and awareness to the use of cot-ton buds are very poor with erroneous believe that there is benefit to its use. There is a need to increase awareness by public enlightenment and health education and to establish school health programme in our various schoo

Cyanoacrylate (superglue): An unusual aural foreign body in an infant

Cyanoacrylate (Superglue) is an excellent bonding agent; which can result in unwanted complications when it comes into contact at an undesirable location in the body. Superglue in the ear as a foreign body is an uncommon presentation. We present a case of a 3 month old baby whose Aunty playfully introduced an unquantified amount of Cyanoacrylate (superglue) into her left external auditory canal (EAC). The superglue was successfully removed with acetone without damage to the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane

Cyanoacrylate (superglue): An unusual aural foreign body in an infant

ABSTRACTCyanoacrylate (Superglue) is an excellent bonding agent; which can result in unwanted complications when it comes into contact at an undesirable location in the body. Superglue in the ear as a foreign body is an uncommon presentation. We present a case of a 3 month old baby whose Aunty playfully introduced an unquantified amount of Cyanoacrylate (superglue) into her left external auditory canal (EAC). The superglue was successfully removed with acetone without damage to the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane.Key words: Cyanoacrylate, unusual, aural, foreign body, infan

PHARYNGO-OESOPHAGEAL FOREIGN BODIES: OUR EXPERIENCE AT TWO FEDERAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Background/Aim: Foreign bodies (FBs) of the upper aero digestive tract often present as medical emergencies and it is common in children especially under the age of five years. The aim of this study was to present our experience with the management of Pharyngo-oesophageal FBs in two federal health institutions in Nigeria over a 10-years period. Methods: It was a retrospective study. Records of all the patients with pharygo-oesophageal foreign bodies who were seen and treated in the Accident and Emergency unit and ENT clinic was retrieved from the hospital medical record department. The information that was extracted include their demographic data, time of ingestion to presentation, presenting symptoms, type of FB ingested, treatment, length of hospital stay and outcome. X-ray soft tissue of the neck (anteroposterior and lateral views) of the patients was also reviewed. Results: A total of 57 patients have complete data for this study. There were 43 males and 14 females given a male to female ratio of 3:1. Their age range was 9 months to 86 years with a mean of 32.8 ± 23.4SD. Majority (38.6%) of the patients are in the age range of 0-20 years. At presentation, their major complaints were dysphagia (89.5%) and odynophagia (84.2%). More than half of the patients (57.9%) presented within 24 hours of ingestion of foreign body. The most common ingested foreign body was dentures, which were noted in 18(31.6%) patients. All patients except one had rigid endoscopy. More than half (61.4%) of the FB impaction was seen at the upper third of the oesophagus. Complications recorded are failed procedures in 3 (5.3%) patients, foreign bodies were not seen in 2(3.5%) patients and one (1.8%) had subcutaneous emphysema. Conclusion: Accidental foreign body ingestion of the oesophagus was still a major problem among children. Commonest foreign object recorded in this study was denture. Large percentages of FBs ingested were at home. Rigid oesophagoscopic removal is still the safest method of treatment. Health education as to its prevention and early presentation to health facility will prevent morbidity and mortalit

AN AUDIT AND OUTCOME OF EAR PROCEDURES IN A RESOURCE LIMITED TERTIARY HEALTH CENTER

Background: Ear Procedures are common and determined by different factors in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck practice. This study aimed at determining the clinical profile and outcome of ear procedures in a tertiary health care. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of all patients who had ear procedures done in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, a sub Saharan African country. The data collected were collated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0. Results: Rate of ear procedure in this study was 20.8%. Peak age groups of ear surgery were at the extreme ages of (1-10) and (≥61)years in 29.6% and 26.2% respectively. Main presenting symptoms were earache in 54.4% and object in the ear in 35.7%. Unilateral ear procedure is more common in 93.5% and occurred in the 52.5% right ear. Clinic procedures accounted for 93.8%. Emergency procedures accounted for 35.2%. Main indications for ear procedures were 47.8% ear wax impaction, 16.5% otitis externa and 16.1% foreign body impaction. Major ear procedures in this study were 50.5% ear syringing, 30.0% aural toileting/dressing and 13.6% foreign body removal. Major complication recorded was trauma in 1.9%. Referred patients accounted for 3.9% and main limitation and indication for referral were surgical facilities, diagnostic equipment and patient financial constraints in 3.1%, 2.7% and 1.9% respectively. Main indications for referral were 2.7% auditory brainstem response, 1.9% tympanoplasty and 0.7% cochlear implants. Majority 63.4% of the patients were satisfied with the ear procedures. There were 3.6% losses to follow up. About 3.3% of patients were referred for ear surgery in another center. Conclusion: Surgical ear procedures are still not fully practiced especially where there are limited resources. This study showed a prevalence of 20.8%. Ear syringing was a major ear procedure performed in 50.0% of patients. There is need to provide adequate surgical facilities which will tremendously reduce referral cases and encourage surgical tourism in developing country

PHARYNGO-OESOPHAGEAL FOREIGN BODIES: OUR EXPERIENCE AT TWO FEDERAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA.

Background/Aim: Foreign bodies (FBs) of the upper aero digestive tract often present as medical emergencies and it is common in children especially under the age of five years. The aim of this study was to present our experience with the management of Pharyngo-oesophageal FBs in two federal health institutions in Nigeria over a 10-years period. Methods: It was a retrospective study. Records of all the patients with pharygo-oesophageal foreign bodies who were seen and treated in the Accident and Emergency unit and ENT clinic was retrieved from the hospital medical record department. The information that was extracted include their demographic data, time of ingestion to presentation, presenting symptoms, type of FB ingested, treatment, length of hospital stay and outcome. X-ray soft tissue of the neck (anteroposterior and lateral views) of the patients was also reviewed. Results: A total of 57 patients have complete data for this study. There were 43 males and 14 females given a male to female ratio of 3:1. Their age range was 9 months to 86 years with a mean of 32.8 ± 23.4SD. Majority (38.6%) of the patients are in the age range of 0-20 years. At presentation, their major complaints were dysphagia (89.5%) and odynophagia (84.2%). More than half of the patients (57.9%) presented within 24 hours of ingestion of foreign body. The most common ingested foreign body was dentures, which were noted in 18(31.6%) patients. All patients except one had rigid endoscopy. More than half (61.4%) of the FB impaction was seen at the upper third of the oesophagus. Complications recorded are failed procedures in 3 (5.3%) patients, foreign bodies were not seen in 2(3.5%) patients and one (1.8%) had subcutaneous emphysema. Conclusion: Accidental foreign body ingestion of the oesophagus was still a major problem among children. Commonest foreign object recorded in this study was denture. Large percentages of FBs ingested were at home. Rigid oesophagoscopic removal is still the safest method of treatment. Health education as to its prevention and early presentation to health facility will prevent morbidity and mortalit

Self Ear Cleaning: Prevalence and Profile among School Children in Ekiti, Nigeria

Self-cleaning of ears with different objects is a common practice among school children with scanty report in literature. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and profile of self-ear cleaning among school children. Methods: It was a cross-sectional institutional-based study which was carried out among school children in Ekiti, south western Nigeria from January 2017, to March 2017. Results: A total of 174 students participated in this study. Their age ranged between 13 and 17 years. The highest number of participant was found at the age of 15 years. One hundred and eighteen (67.8%) of them had carried out self ear cleaning. Personal hygiene was the commonest reason for self ear cleaning in 28.8% of the students. Cotton buds were mostly used by the respondents in 51.7% of them. Injury to the external auditory canal (EAC) was the most recorded complications. Conclusion: The outcome of this study shows that self-ear cleaning practices were common among school children with a prevalence of 67.8%. Cotton buds were the commonest objects used. Avoidable complications were reported among respondents. There is a need to intensify efforts on public enlightenment programme and the establishment of school health programme in our various schools

Otologic Presentation and Management of Allergic Ear Disorder in a Tropical Developing Country

Background: Allergic manifestation in ear is a common unrecognized otologic disorder worldwide. This study aimed at determining the clinicoepidemiologic pattern and management of patients with allergic ear disorder. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective hospital-based study of patients with clinical diagnosis of allergic ear disorder. Interviewer assisted questionnaire were administered to the consented patient. Data obtained were collated and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 18.0. Results: Prevalence of allergic ear disorder in this study was 4.2%. There was 59.8% male with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. No allergen was identified in 7.3%. Common self-reported trigger factor were dirty/ earwax, water/Soap and eardrop/body cream in 72.0%, 53.7% and 39.0% respectively. There was family history of allergy in 58.5% of respondents. Common symptoms were pinna pulling/ear picking, ear blockage, hearing impairment and itchy ear in 81.7%, 56.7%, 54.3% and 49.4% respectively. A commonest finding on examination was clean external ear canal 81.7%. Middle ear cleft was the commonest affected part of the ear in 56.7%. A commonest associated comorbid illness was 64.6% allergic rhinitis. Commonest complication recorded was otitis media with effusion in 42.1% respondents. Main quality of life affected were sleep disturbance, depression, changes in mood and general health in 43.9%, 31.7%, 26.8% and 25.6% respectively. Commonest treatment was conservative treatment in 86.6%. Conclusion: Allergic ear disorder is a common ear, nose and throat disorder affecting all ages. At presentation most cases were associated with comorbid illnesses, complications and impact on quality of life. Early identification and referral of patient to a specialist and prompt treatment to reduce avoidable morbidity is advocated. (Int J Biomed Sci 2020; 16 (1): 5-10

Preschool Children Hearing Impairment: Prevalence, Diagnosis and Management in a Developing Country

Objectives: Preschool children hearing impairment is a common otologic diseases worldwide. The burdens of this preventable condition can be reduced in developing country. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, diagnosis and management of hearing impairment among children less than 5 years seen in our center. Method: This was a prospective hospital based study of preschool children with complaints of hearing impairment in Ekiti state university teaching hospital, Nigeria. This study was conducted over a period of two years (February 2016 to January 2018). Data was obtained from consented patients by using pretested interviewers assisted questionnaire. Data obtained was collated and analyzed by using SPSS software version 18.0. D escriptive statistics was used to present and expressed the data as simple tables and charts. Results: The prevalence of hearing impairment in this study was 5.9% with peak value of 37.6% at preschool age 3 years. There were 42.6% males and 57.4% females. Majority (51.5%) of the patients were urban dwellers. The aetiologic factors of hearing impairment include; 15.8% neonatal jaundice, 13.9% febrile illness, 12.9% otitis media and 11.9% birth asphyxia. Prelingual presentation was commonest in 57.4%. Common clinical features includes yet to speak, restlessness/stubborn and not responding to command in 60.4%, 48.5% and 46.5% respectively. Commonest type of hearing impairment was sensorineural hearing loss is 61.4%. Type A tympanometry (normal) was the commonest findings in 82.2%. Conclusion: Preschool children hearing impairment with late presentation is a common otologic diseases burden to parent and otorhinolaryngologist in our center. The common causes were preventable with resulting permanent auditory damage

Characteristics and Management of Childhood Tinnitus in a Developing Country

Objectives: Tinnitus is a commonly neglected otologic symptom among children in developing country. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management of childhood tinnitus in a developing country. Method: This prospective hospital based study of patients’ age 18 years and below with complaints of tinnitus was conducted in Ear, Nose and Throat Department of Ekiti state UniversityTeaching Hospital,Ado Ekiti,Nigeria between April 2016 to March 2018. The parents/guardians/patients were briefed about the scope of the study. After getting oral consent, pretested interviewers assisted questionnaire was administered to collect data. Data obtained were collated and analyzed using SPSS software version 18.0 and was expressed in simple tables and charts. Results: Prevalence of tinnitus in this study was 6.2%. There were 56.1% males and male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Majority 55.3% had single episode of tinnitus and long duration (>3 months) was commonest form of tinnitus in 59.1%. Bilateral tinnitus was recorded in 68.9% while subjective tinnitus constituted 93.9%. Discrete tinnitus was commoner in 67.4%. Major causes of tinnitus were febrile illnesses, otitis media, noise exposure, unknown (idiopathic), earwax impaction and ototoxicity in 19.7%, 16.7%, 15.9%, 14.4%, 12.9% and 9.8% respectively. A commonest tympanometric finding was type A in 72.7% of patients. Commonly affected quality of life were anxiety, depression and attention problem in 51.5%, 43.2% and 40.2% respectively. Associated comorbid illnesses in this study were 50.8% sleeping disorders, 42.4% concentration disorders and 31.1% headache. Referrals were mainly from paediatrician in 44.7%. Prehospital treatment was mainly medication in 62.1%. All the patients were counselled (assured). Other treatments given were conservative treatment, surgery, ear syringing and hearing aids in 56.1%, 15.9%, 12.9% and 9.1% patients respectively. Conclusion: Childhood tinnitus is caused by preventable diseases. At presentation there were associated hearing impairment, comorbid illnesses and affectation of quality of life