PATTERN AND OUTCOME OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES PRESENTING TO ST PAUL'S HOSPITAL PEDIATRICS EMERGENCY UNIT, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Respiratory diseases are among the most common of causes of childhood morbidity and mortality as well as hospitalization globally. The patterns of specific respiratory illnesses in several parts of the world have been reported but there are few reports on the combined burden of the diseases. Determination of the pattern of respiratory diseases as a group will help in knowing their collective impact on the health systems in order to develop intervention measures. Objectives of the study This research is aimed at determining the patterns and outcome of respiratory disease in the pediatric emergency of St Paul's hospital millennium medical college. Methods A retrospective cross sectional study design is used to collect data from case notes of children with respiratory diseases admitted to the pediatric emergency of St Paul's hospital millennium medical college over the a one year period between January 1 2016- December 31, 2016. Age, gender, admission rates, types of respiratory illness, duration of admission and outcome is analyzed. Descriptive and inferential (Chi square) statistics is used to describe the various disease types and their outcome. The study was conducted from March 13 to June 30, 2017. Result Among 272 cases studied pneumonia accounting for 66.2% of the cases, asthma, tonsilopharengitis and CROUP accounts for (16.5%), 7.4 % and 3.7% respectively. More cases were recorded in the month of July and October. Majority, 81.3% of cases admitted were discharged home, 16.2% were transferred to inpatient wards while death was recorded in 2.6 % of the children. Conclusion and Recommendation Respiratory illnesses are commonest causes of visit to pediatrics emergency despite the interventions being taken particularly among those less than five years of age. Creating awareness among the community about predisposing factors is helpful to keep children healthy.