Background: Head and neck cancers (HNC) constitute 5-8% of total body cancers in Europe and America. It is difficult to appreciate the problem of cancers in Nigeria because most studies available are hospital-based studies. The aim of this study is to highlight current evidence on the burden of head and neck cancers in Nigeria based on literature review and to discuss potential health care actions to improve management.

Community-based UNHS facilitates early detection of infants at risk of sensorineural hearing loss born outside hospitals and the overall performance is comparable to conventional hospital-based UNHS. Maternal education at antenatal clinics may be valuable in addressing the associated risk factors.

SNHL is prevalent among infants with NNJ and community-orientated early detection to curtail the associated long-term developmental consequences is feasible in resource-poor settings where facilities for clinical monitoring are limited. Hearing evaluation of infants treated for severe NNJ should be incorporated into the management and follow-up of these patients.

No uniform case definition presently exists for infant hearing screening programs worldwide especially for minimal hearing loss (HL). This article systematically reviewed the current practices in developing countries for programs aimed at early detection of "disabling" congenital and early-onset HL and found significant variations which undermine comparability of key findings in the reported studies. Implications for the exclusion of minimal HL are explored within the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization and its adapted version for children and youth (ICF-CY). A revised World Health Organization classification that accounts for all categories of HL based on ICF-CY may provide a suitable framework for improved uniformity in reporting standards.

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Doctors and nurses should routinely seek objective infant hearing assessment for timely detection of permanent hearing loss.

This study set out to determine the pattern and predictors of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among small-scale and self-employed chili pepper grinders in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Audiological evaluation was conducted for all participants after noise level measurement. Of 136 studied, 85 (62.5%) were confirmed with slightto-moderate NIHL. Mean age was 40.2 years, mean years spent as grinders was 9.3 years and mean hours spent daily at work was 13.3 hours. The mean age of those with NIHL was significantly higher than those without. Spending over 10 years in commercial grinding and working ≤12 hours daily were predictive of NIHL. Questionnaire-based screening using symptoms of NIHL was associated with a sensitivity of 44.7%, specificity of 62.7%, and positive predictive value of 66.7%. In conclusion, pepper grinding is associated with high/excessive noise levels and NIHL. Hearing conservation program incorporating engineering modification of locally fabricated grinders is warranted in this and similar populations in developing countries.

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