Chronic suppurative otitis media: Socio-economic implications in a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
In developing countries, ear infections and deafness are usually neglected conditions due to insufficient funds, work force, facilities, and knowledge. This paper highlights the socio-economic burden of chronic suppurative otitis media on a northern Nigerian population with suggestions on ways to reduce this burden.


METHODS
Seventy-four patients presenting to the Otorhinolaryngology unit, Department of surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau state, Nigeria with chronic suppurative otitis media from June 2007 to May 2008 were evaluated for age, gender, occupation, otomicroscopy and audiologic findings, microscopy, culture and sensitivity results, cost of consultation, investigations and treatment, type of complications and the social impact on individuals.


RESULTS
Patients were aged 2 to 37 years (Mean age=9.23 years, SD=7.92). Forty-one (55.4%) patients were aged between 1 and 5 years. There were 8 (10.8%) students, 12 (16.2%) unskilled workers, 11 (14.9%) unemployed individuals and 2 (2.7%) professionals. Deafness was the commonest sequel. Minimum monthly wage was 7,500 ($47.5US). Initial cost of treatment per patient per year was 8,100 Naira ($51.3US) increasing to 73,100 Naira ($462.7US) if surgery and hearing aid was required. Eleven (15%) patients required surgery, only 2 (2.7%) patients could afford it. Four patients lost their jobs. Fourteen (18.9%) patients were lost to follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
The estimated cost of treatment for chronic suppurative otitis media is higher than the monthly minimum wage for individuals in our environment where the cost of health care is the sole responsibility of the patient.
Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Department of Surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2076, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Adeyi
A
Adoga
Tonga
T
Nimkur
Olugbenga
O
Silas
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001299:Audiometry; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents