Prevalence and risk factors associated with hypopharyngo-esophageal foreign bodies impaction: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) is an emergency condition which may be associated with challenges for their removal. We aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with hypopharyngo-esophageal foreign bodies (HP-EFBs) impaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mulago national referral hospital in Uganda from August 2018 to May 2019. The study consisted of 150 patients aged 6 months to 49 years with suspicion of HP-EFBs impaction. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to determine factors associated with HP-EFBs. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The median age of the patients was 7.1 (4.3–16.4) years, and males accounted for the majority (64%, n = 96) of the patients. Clinically, majority (62.0%, n = 93) of the patients had dysphagia. The prevalence of HP-EFBs was (33.3%, n = 50). Majority (76.0%, n = 38) of the FBs were coins. Being aged ≤5 years (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 2.18–3.39, P = 0.043), being a child attending school (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.56–4.92, P = 0.037), and being under caretakers aged ≤25 years (aOR = 6.83, 95% CI = 1.88–24.79), P = 0.003) were associated with increased risk of HP-EFBs impaction. This study has shown increased risk of HP-EFBs impaction particularly in male children and those attending school. Also, patients who were under younger caretakers had increased odds of HP-EFBs impaction. There is a need for caretakers and teachers at school to provide emphasis for children to always have precaution to avoid impaction of FBs.