Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Chronic Tonsillitis in Herat Regional Hospital, Afghanistan

Objectives: Chronic tonsillitis is a persistent inflammation of the palatine tonsils, frequently leading to recurrent infections and complications, such as peritonsillar abscess and post-streptococcal sequelae. Despite its high global prevalence, limited epidemiological data exist for Afghanistan. This study aimed to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with chronic tonsillitis at Herat Regional Hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months at the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Department of Herat Regional Hospital. A total of 17,184 patients visited our department during this period, among whom 3,608 cases of chronic tonsillitis were identified. Data collection included medical record review, structured patient questionnaires, and clinical interviews. A subset of 398 patients was included in the symptom analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, and chi-squared tests to assess the associations between variables. Results: The prevalence of chronic tonsillitis among patients was 20.99%. The study found that severe throat pain (52.8%) and swallowing difficulties (58.5%) were common, alongside reduced activity (33.2%), appetite loss (56.0%), headaches (50.0%), and breathing issues (40.5%). Age (p = 0.002), education (p = 0.004), socioeconomic status (p < 0.001), immune status (p < 0.001), and oral hygiene (p < 0.001) were significantly linked to chronic tonsillitis. Conclusion: Chronic tonsillitis is a prevalent condition in Herat, disproportionately affecting young individuals and those with poor hygiene and socioeconomic status. These findings underscore the need for enhanced preventive strategies, improved healthcare access, and targeted interventions, such as early diagnosis and timely surgical management.