title: Survey of ototopical self medication among patients attending ENT and family medicine departments in a Nigerian hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ototopical self-medication is a common practice in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to establish the proportion of patients with otological problems that practice ototopical self-medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-week cross-sectional study of all the new patients attending the general outpatient (also called family medicine (FM)) and ear, nose and throat (ENT) departments of a Nigerian specialist hospital was carried out. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on bio data, practice of ototopical self medication among new patients with otological problems, the drugs used and the reasons for engaging in the practice. The results were analysed using SPSS version 11 and presented in Tables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 3276 patients that visited the hospital during the study period, 402 had otological problems. Of these, 125 (31%) used ototopical self-medication, giving a hospital incidence of 3.8%. 115 (92%) patients consented to fill in the questionnaire on the self-use of ototopical agents. Otalgia was the most common indication (27%) for ototopical self-medication. Gentamycin and Chloramphenicol topical agents were the most commonly used by the study participants. A total of 39 participants (34%) reported to have used non-prescribed self-medication because it was time saving. In 69 of the participants (60%), the drugs were self recommended while chemists and nurses recommended their use in 23 (20%) and 22 (19%) participants, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Nigeria, there is a need for public enlightenment and health education about the possible drawbacks of this practice.
authors.affiliation: Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria. droaafolabi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Olushola A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Afolabi
authors.forename: Bolorunduro F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Ehalaiye
authors.forename: Joseph O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Fadare
authors.forename: Aolat B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Abdur-Rahman
authors.forename: Doris N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Ehalaiye
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D012651:Self Medication / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents