James E Tobih¹, Theophilus O Esan²*, Deborah T Esan³ and Ifeoluwa  J Ojumu⁴

¹Associate Professor and Head of Otorhinolaryngology Department, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology/Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria
²Otorhinolaryngology Department, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria
³Associate Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
⁴Department of Nursing Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Theophilus O Esan, Otorhinolaryngology Department, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Received: September 23, 2021; Published: November 26, 2021

Abstract

Background: One of the commonest infections of the ear is that of the external ear canal which is most susceptible than any other part of the ear because it opens directly with the outside unlike the middle and inner ear that are enclosed within. In addition, it admits readily any object without any reflex objection like the eye hence it is most vulnerable to all kinds of assault from self and externals yet infections in the external ear if not well managed can spread to middle ear, inner ear and even brain. The consequences may portend high mortality and morbidity with severe hearing disability. This is the reason for undertaking this research reviewing the age long practice of self-ear cleaning and the attendant dangers.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to assess the self-ear-cleaning practices among undergraduates of a Private University in Nigeria. Semi-structured, pre-tested adapted questionnaires was used for data collection. These questionnaires were administered to all willing students who have given their prior consent after permission has been gotten from the Ethics and Research Committee of the Institution.

Result: The result showed that majority (71.3%) of the respondents are female and are Christians (88%).

Findings from this study revealed that almost all (98%) practices self-ear cleaning regularly excluding only 4% who does not clean the ear at all. Result also showed that they all clean their ears with all kinds of objects but majority with cotton buds, some even with pen cover and metallic hairpin. Furthermore many of the respondents have suffered from complications like ear pain 39(38.6%), bleeding 15(14.9%), and itching 23(22.8%). The study showed that many believed self-ear cleaning is safe and hygienic and never associated with dangers.

Conclusion: Our conclusion is that the prevalent rate of self-ear cleaning among undergraduate students of a Private University is very high with majority suffering various complications arising from this practice. The practice cuts across all students at all levels of academic study, disciplines, ethnic groups and religions.

Keywords: Self-ear Cleaning; Practice; Hazards; Private University; Nigeria

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Citation

Citation: Theophilus O Esan., et al. “Self-ear Cleaning Practices and Hazards Among Undergraduates of a Private University in Nigeria”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 5.12 (2021): 151-157.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2021 Theophilus O Esan., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.