Objectives: A survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in Jordan and evaluate the factors associated with antibiotic misuse. Methods: Validated questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 1943 households (9281 persons) selected from among different cities in Jordan. Results: 842 (39.5%) of 2133 antibiotic users identified via the survey had used antibiotics without a prescription within a one-month study period. Self-medication with antibiotics was found to be significantly associated with age, income, and level of education. The main reason for selfmedication as reported by the participants was their previous experience on the efficacy of treatment. The main sources of antibiotics were the previously prescribed pharmaceuticals stored in the household and those purchased in pharmacies. Conclusion:The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in Jordan is alarmingly high. Given the growing global resistance to antibiotics and the documented health problems related to their inappropriate use, our findings may have major public health policy implications in Jordan.

The age of a cochlear implant candidate should not be a factor in the candidacy decision-making process. The quality of life of our elderly recipients was significantly improved after cochlear implant.

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Chronic otitis media may be due to chronic mucosal disease or cholesteatoma. Differentiating the two is usually achieved by clinical examination. The computed tomography (CT) scan is the standard imaging technique for the temporal bone, but its exact role in the preoperative assessment of patients with chronic otitis media is controversial. In this retrospective study we compared preoperative CT results with operative findings in 50 patients who had scan between January 2003 and December 2007. We analyzed the clinical presentation and checked if CT scan confirmed or excluded the presence of cholesteatoma and if this was affected by previous surgery. We concluded that CT scan could not be relied on to differentiate cholesteatoma from chronic mucosal disease. It should be used selectively in the preoperative preparation only if complications of the disease suspected.