Ear care: Knowledge, attitude and practice amongst health professionals at the Jos university teaching hospital

Abstract

Objective: Our study aims to ascertain the knowledge, attitude and practice of ear care amongst health care givers in our hospital in this cross-sectional study.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, validated questionnaires were filled by health professionals in our Teaching Hospital and analyzed.
Results: There were 94 males and 47 females with male to female ratio of 2:1, age ranging between 25 and 59 years (Mean= 42 years; SD=+/- 12.5). Most subjects were between 35 and 39 years and were mostly nurses (n=34, 24.1%). One hundred and twenty nine (91.5%) individuals ‘clean’ their ears with majority of them (n= 48, 37.2%) doing so occasionally. Multiple objects were inserted into the ears by 31 (24.0%) subjects and single objects by 98 (76%). The commonest object inserted into the ears to effect ‘cleaning’ was cotton buds in 115 (89.1%) subjects. Twelve (9.3%) subjects recorded injuries to the ears while ‘cleaning’. A total of 97 (68.8%) subjects had no prior knowledge that it was wrong to insert objects in their ears. Sixty three (44.7%) subjects had cerumen auris. Cotton buds (n=29) was the commonest method of removal. The commonest ototoxic drug used was quinine (n=7; 50%).
Conclusion: This study reveals that health care professionals in our center have a poor knowledge and attitude towards the practice of ear care. Health education is therefore required for these and the general populace on the practice of ear care to avoid preventable damages to ears.

Key words: Ear Care; Health Professionals; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice