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