Bacterial Profiles, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns, and Associated Factors of Ear, Nose and Throat Infections among Patients Attending ENT Outpatient Department at Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Bacterial Infections of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) are common infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is also one of the leading causes of illnesses that lead to frequent physician visits and drug prescriptions. However, limited data exist on the bacterial etiology and resistance patterns of ENT infections in the Ethiopian context. Objective: To determine bacterial profiles, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors of ENT infections among patients attending ENT OPD at JUMC, Ethiopia Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2024 to October 2024 involving 256 patients with clinically diagnosed ENT infections at ENT OPD of JUMC, Ethiopia. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire in an online KOBO Toolbox along with patient chart review. Samples were collected from ear discharge, nasal swabs, and throat swabs and cultured on blood agar, MacConkey agar and chocolate agar. Bacterial identification was performed using Gram staining, colony morphology, and biochemical tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Data from the KOBO Toolbox were exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with ENT infection. Result: A total of 256 participants were enrolled, with a (100%) response rate. Ear infections were the most prevalent (77%), followed by throat (16.4%) and nasal infections (6.6%). Culture results showed that 139(54.3%) of samples had bacterial growth, with Staphylococcus aureus 44(17.2%) and Escherichia coli 17(6.6%) being the most frequently isolated pathogens. Nine bacterial strains were identified in total. Acinetobacter spp. exhibited (100%) resistance to Cefuroxime, and Klebsiella spp. showed (91.7%) resistance to Ceftriaxone. Among Gram-positive isolates, Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated (50%) resistance to Tetracycline. Several factors were associated with ENT infections: working in a noisy environment (95% CI: 1.63–13.01, p = 0.004), tonsillar swelling or exudate (95% CI: 1.47–16.9, p = 0.010), family history of otitis media, and presence of ENT discharge (95% CI: 5.3–32.63, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of ear infection among the ENT cases evaluated. A substantial proportion of bacterial isolates were resistant to multiple commonly used antibiotics. These findings underscore the critical need for routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing before initiating antibiotic therapy to ensure effective treatment and help curb antimicrobial resistance.