Otitis externa is a common ear condition that negatively affects patients’ quality of life, presenting with symptoms such as pain, itching, ear discharge, and hearing loss. Although several treatment options exist, there remains no clear consensus on the most effective management approach. This study compared the effectiveness of aural toileting alone versus aural toileting combined with topical antimicrobial therapy in treating otitis externa at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, General Hospital Ilorin. Using a quasi-experimental design, 64 adult patients aged 18–60 years with symptoms of otitis externa were enrolled and divided into two treatment groups. Data were collected using a self-structured checklist and symptom resolution was monitored over two weeks. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27, presented in frequencies, percentages and tables including inferential statistics with significance set at p<0.05. Demographically, most respondents in both groups were male, aged 21–40 years, of Yoruba ethnicity, and predominantly Muslim. Pre-intervention symptom severity was similar in both groups, with discharge, pain, and itching being the most reported symptoms. Post-intervention results showed both treatment approaches significantly reduced symptom severity; however, the combination therapy group showed greater improvements across all symptoms, including discharge, pain, itching, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. Statistical tests revealed that the combination of aural toileting and topical antimicrobials led to significantly better symptom reduction—particularly for pain (t=6.435, p=0.000), itching (t=5.714, p=0.000), and discharge (t=4.658, p=0.000), compared to aural toileting alone. In conclusion, the study supports the use of combination therapy as a more effective treatment strategy for otitis externa, emphasizing the importance of timely and comprehensive management to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
- AKANBI | GRACE | OLUFUNMILAYO | oreofe2324@gmail.com | 08064468011, OGUNTOLA | A. | S. | asoguntola@lautech.ed.ng Tel: 09014288802 | 09014288802, AMOO | P. | O. | poamao@lautech.edu.ng | 08106797116
- Otitis externa; pre-intervention; post-intervention
- COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AURAL TOILETING WITH TOPICAL ANTIMICROBIALS THERAPY
