Affiliation:
1. ENT Department, Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, Ministry of Health, Apia, Samoa
2. Hearing Research Unit for Children, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
3. ENT Department, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
Abstract
Objectives: The Ear, Nose, and Throat Department of Samoa is developing a school outreach service, and the aim of this study is to determine the pattern of ear disease among students attending a school for people with disabilities in Samoa. Methods: The study design is a prospective study of a 2-day outreach visit to a school for people with disabilities by the Samoan Ear, Nose, and Throat team who recorded their clinical findings (N = 28). Two Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists performed ear examinations for each student and recorded their diagnosis and recommendations as per routine Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic protocols on a purposefully designed form based on the World Health Organization Ear and Hearing Survey. This information was entered into an Excel spreadsheet for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Results showed that 39% (n = 11) of students passed their initial ear examination, while 61% (n = 17) of students presented with at least one ear condition requiring Ear, Nose, and Throat intervention. The most common pathology was impacted wax (n = 15 ears). Following the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic outreach visit, 21 students (75%) no longer required Ear, Nose, and Throat or medical services, five students (18%) required a medical prescription for the treatment of ear disease, and two students (7%) were referred to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department for further review. Conclusion: Students attending schools for people with disabilities are a priority population for the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinical service outreach programme.
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3 articles.
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