An audit of Ear, Nose and Throat diseases in a tertiary health institution in South-western Nigeria

Ayotunde James Fasunla,Onyekwere George Nwaorgu,Musa Samdi

doi:10.11604/pamj.2013.14.1.1092

Abstract

IntroductionThis study is aimed at determining the pattern of ear, nose and throat diseases and their relationship with socio-demographic factors with auditing intent in a tertiary hospital in South-western Nigeria.MethodsMedical records of patients managed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed for all essential clinical data.ResultsThere were 2641 (52.8%) males and 2360 (47.2%) females. Two thousand and fifty (41%) patients had age ≤15years old. Sixty three percent of the patients were Christians, 37% were Muslims and less than 1% had other religions. There were more patients in lower occupational classes than those in the upper classes. The average number of patients with ear, nose and throat diseases managed per month was eighty three. Patients with ear diseases were 3136 (62.7%), the nose diseases were 1153 (23.0%), the throat diseases were 479 (9.6%) and head/neck diseases were 233 (4.7%).ConclusionThis study showed that otitis media, obstructive adenoid, foreign bodies in the ear and throat infections were the common ear, nose, throat disorders seen in patients aged ≤15years whereas, hearing loss, rhinosinusitis and tumors were the common disorders of ear, nose and throat seen in patients aged 16 years and above. Although these disorders are not yet considered to be of public health importance, they contribute significantly to the existing burden of health problems in our environment. Therefore, there is a need for improved public awareness on ear, nose and throat diseases.

Highlights

This study is aimed at determining the pattern of ear, nose and throat diseases and their relationship with socio-demographic factors with auditing intent in a tertiary hospital in South-western Nigeria
Five thousand and one new patients were managed for ear, nose and throat diseases at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
The four most common ear, nose and throat diseases seen in the patients are shown in Table 3 and Table 4

Summary

Introduction

This study is aimed at determining the pattern of ear, nose and throat diseases and their relationship with socio-demographic factors with auditing intent in a tertiary hospital in South-western Nigeria. These morbidities may lead to social embarrassment, occupational, school and economic losses in the community The knowledge of these ears, nose and throat diseases can help the administrators and policy makers in the community to make adequate strategic health planning especially in the developing countries, where poverty, ignorance, insufficient personnel and lack of basic health facilities abound. It will assist the educational sector to define a better medical curriculum for training in Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery in the developing countries. This study was designed to audit ear, nose and throat diseases in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria and to create awareness of its importance in public health

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Discussion

Conclusion