An Audit of Ear; Nose and Throat diseases in a Tertiary Health Institution in South-western Nigeria

ABSTRACT

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. Methods: Medical 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. Results: There 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 1had 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). Conclusion: This 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 respectively). Forty (30.8