Abstract:

Background: Cerumen impaction is a worldwide problem constituting a significant proportion of health problems in many settings and its prevalence varies. There is a paucity of published data regarding this condition in this region with none from our center. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of cerumen impaction among primary school children in Mwanza city.

Methods and Patients: This was a cross-sectional based study of primary school children with cerumen impaction that was carried out in randomly selected primary schools in Mwanza city between December 2016 and May 2017, Multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to obtain a required number of the study population.

Results: Out of the 406 participants, ninety-five (23.4%) had cerumen impacted in their ears. Of these, 56(58.9%) were males and 39(41.1%) were females. The mean age at presentation was 11.24±8.86 years. Ear bad abuse (83.7%) was the most common predisposing factors. Cerumen impaction was found in the right ear of 9(9.5%) patients and in the left ear in 31(32.6%) patients and bilateral in 55(57.9%) of patients. The major presenting symptoms were ear itching, otalgia, hearing loss and tinnitus. Ear syringing was used to remove cerumen impaction and caused significant improvement in hearing thresholds. There were no recorded complications.

Conclusion: Cerumen impaction is a common otologic presentation in our sub-region. Ignorance with the profound abuse of cotton buds was the major predisposing factor. Health education is of the essence as treatment is simple and effective.