Foreign Bodies in Otorhinolaryngology among Teenagers and Adults observed in a Reference Hospital in Mozambique

Abstract

Foreign bodies can affect physically and emotionally the patients and leads to significant financial expenses to people affected and to health services. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of patients with 14 or more years of age observed with foreign bodies at Oto-rhinolaryngology Service at quaternary reference hospital in Mozambique. An observational, descriptive study was carried out, using retrospective data from 1983-2009, from patients with 14 or more years old diagnosed with foreign bodies in otorhinolaryngology at quaternary reference hospital in Mozambique. Multiple sources of data were used to obtain information which was subsequently introduced in specifically created database and data analysis was mainly descriptive. A total of 1696 patient’s data were collected and analyzed. No gender differences were observed, and most cases were analyzed in age-group 30-39 years (23.93%). Cotton was the main foreign body (21.40%) among males and fish bones for females (52.53%). Ear was most common site among 15-39 years, while esophagus and pharynx was for 30-39 years group. The study includes 26 years of data representing important source of evidence. This evidence can contribute for the development and implementation of preventive and control strategies at population level and subject of health professionals training programs.