Prevalence of Cerumen Impaction and Associated Factors Among Primary School Pupils at an Urban District in Northern Tanzania
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract
Purpose Cerumen impaction is a public problem of great concern due to associated hearing impairment. Despite cerumen
impaction being one of the commonest causes of hearing loss among primary school children, there is no any published study
to date from northern Tanzania focused on this topic. This study aimed to address this gap.
Methods A cross-sectional study design was used where 307 primary school pupils were recruited using a multistage cluster
sampling technique and it was conducted from January to July 2023. Data was collected using Swahili translated semistructured
questionnaires.
Results The prevalence of cerumen impaction was 10.7% with the right ear being mostly affected (57.6%). A statistically
significant association was found between prevalence of cerumen impaction and mother’s education level though no association
was found between sex, residence, father’s education level and mother’s occupation status. Predisposing factors
like history or presence of ear infection, habit of cleaning ears and using hearing aids or earphones showed a statistically
significant association The commonest clinical presentation was otalgia (36.4%) and washing ears with water (71.5%) was
the commonly applied method of cleaning the ears apart from hospital based interventions. The commonest method of wax
removal for those who visited health facilities was ear syringing (42.9%).
Conclusion Lesser prevalence of cerumen impaction was found in this study though majority had previous history of
impacted wax. Cotton bud was the commonest predisposing factor for cerumen impaction. The commonest clinical presentation
among those with impacted cerumen was otalgia though some pupils reported asymptomatic cerumen impaction
Description
Abstract. Full text available at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-023-04391-z
Keywords
Prevalence, Cerumen, Impaction
Citation
Abraham, Z. S., & Dismas, D. S. (2024). Prevalence of Cerumen Impaction and Associated Factors Among Primary School Pupils at an Urban District in Northern Tanzania. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 76(2), 1724-1732.