Background: 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.
Background/Aim: Otological trauma due to physical abuse is a common occurrence among the young persons. However, the condition is overlooked and underreported. This study aimed at determines prevalence and profile of ear abuse in school children in Ekiti, Nigeria. Methodology: This study was a cross sectional survey among secondary school students in Ekiti, South Western Nigeria. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 130 students aged 13 and 16 years participated in the survey. Of the 130 students that were interviewed, 76 (58.5%) had been otologically abused (Slapped) at one time or the other. Majority (26.9%) of the students were slapped by their parents. Left ear was mostly affected in 39 (51.3%) of them. The most common reason for the slap was disobedience in 56 (73.7%) of the students. Only 5.4% reported the case of slap to appropriate authority. About 73.7% did not receive treatment or any form of intervention. Pure tone audiogram (PTA) done showed that 32.9% (19.7 % male and 13.2 % female) of the respondents had mild conductive hearing loss. Conclusion: Ear abuse, although poorly recognized and underreported is still common in our society. A prevalence of 58.4 % with 32.9% hearing loss was recorded in this study. There is need for a public enlightenment programs in order to create awareness among teachers, school managers and parents so as to address these ugly trends and to prevent late sequel of hearing loss and learning disability.
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