FREQUENCY OF EAR NOSE AND THROAT CONDITIONS LEADING TO HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS IN MARDAN MEDICAL COMPLEX, MARDAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

 

Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions are significant contributors to global morbidity, particularly in low-resource settings where access to specialized healthcare is constrained. These conditions vary from minor infections to severe, life-threatening disorders that require urgent medical intervention. Understanding their epidemiological burden is essential for effective healthcare planning and resource allocation (Gupta & Gupta, 2019; Munjal et al., 2020).

Objective

This study aims to determine the frequency, distribution, and major contributing factors of ENT conditions leading to hospital admissions at Mardan Medical Complex, Pakistan. The findings will provide insights into healthcare needs, assisting in formulating targeted prevention and management strategies.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted by retrospectively analyzing hospital records from October 2023 to October 2024. Data on patient demographics, primary ENT diagnoses, and other relevant clinical characteristics were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.

Results

A total of 1,520 patients were admitted to the ENT department. The top 15 ENT conditions constituted 71.36% of all cases, with chronic tonsillitis (920 cases), rhinosinusitis (249 cases), and acute otitis media (167 cases) being the most prevalent diagnoses.

Conclusion

The study underscores the substantial burden of ENT conditions in the Mardan region. The findings emphasize the need for improved access to specialized ENT services, preventive strategies, and healthcare policy reforms tailored to address the increasing prevalence of these conditions (Kalita & Misra, 2020; Wahid et al., 2022).