Background: Otitis externa is an otological diseases with common presentation in ear, nose, throat, head and neck practice. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, aetiology, clinical presentation, complications and treatment of otitis externa. Methods: This is a prospective hospital based study of patients diagnosed with otitis externa in Ekiti state university teaching hospital, Ado Ekiti. The study was carried out between May 2016 and April 2017. Data were obtained by interviewer assisted questionnaire on ages, gender, presenting symptoms, clinical findings, complication and mode of treatment. Data obtained were collated and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Total number of patients seen in ear, nose and throat department were 1875 out of which a total of 329 were diagnosed of otitis externa. Consent was obtained from the participants and they were enrolled into the study. Prevalence in this study stands at 17.5%. There were 54.4% males and 45.6% females with male to female ratio of 1:1. The peak age group at third decade (21-30) was 27.7%. On the occupational status, Students/apprentice 33.0% and applicant 21.1% are the majority while 16.4% farmers and 10.3% housewife are the minority. On marital status, 47.3% single and 28.3% married were the majority. Referral were mainly from the general practitioner and casualty officer as 51.7% and 23.4% respectively. Majority 46.3% of the participants presented within one week of the illness. First episode was noticed in 64.7% while recurrent episode was noticed in 35.3%. Both unilateral otitis externa 76.2% and right otitis externa 51.6% were the commonest. Earache was the major 87.8% presenting complaints while commonest clinical findings in this study was tragal tenderness 83.3%. Major type of diagnosed otitis externa in this study were: acute diffuse otitis externa 49.2%. Ear swab microscopy, culture and sensitivity yielded no growth in 6.4% and growth of Pseudomonas spp, 3.6% Klebsiella 5.5% Staphylococcus aureus 19.5% and Streptococcus spp 10.3% were recorded. Common complications of otitis externa were 12.5% myringitis and 10.6% auricular cellulitis. Majority of cases 72.2% were treated with both topical and systemic drugs, while 27.8% were treated with topical, systemic drugs and otological procedure. During the first follow up visit, 79.1% of the patients had complete symptom resolution. Conclusion: Otitis externa is a common otological diseases affecting all age group. Most patients were referred to ear, nose and throat clinic by general practitioner. Most of these patients had preventable associated complications at presentation.
