Retrospective Studies on the Incidence of Ear Infections among Patients at National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Ear infection is one of the commonest symptoms which are caused by trauma to any part of the ear components. The retrospective analysis of the incidence of ear infection was carried out using patients’ medical records from the period of February to October 2011. Results of this study showed that ear discharge infection was on the high side in patients’ aged 20 years and below and the incidence rate reduces with the age of patients. The patients’ medical record showed that 13.4% had unilateral ear discharge with an incidence rate of 83.5% of the total two hundred and ninety-one (291) records. Pseudomonas species (45.10%) were the most prevalent bacteria isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (41.25%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (4.55%), Klebsiella species (3.85%), Candida species (2.10%), Haemophilis species (1.75%) and Proteus species (1.40%). The bacterial isolates exhibited the least resistance to Ciprofloxacin (17.79%) followed by Gentamycin (32.74%), while Cotrimoxazole, Chloramphenicol, and Amoxycillin were ineffective against the bacterial isolates. Long-term follow-up and education or continuous sensitization of patients on ear infections is needed.