Childhood Pneumonia and under-five morbidity and mortality at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital- a situational analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v11i3.64Keywords:
Pneumonia, Under-five mortality, Morbidity, MDG 4Abstract
Background: Childhood mortality which remains high in children under the age of 5years is largely due to infectious and other preventable causes such as Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ((HIV/AIDS), pneumonia and malaria1. The prevention of pneumonia deaths is therefore an important approach if the 4th Millennium Development Goal (MDG4) is to be attained.
Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the pattern, clinical features, management and complications of pneumonia in under-five children admitted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and to highlight their morbidity and mortality.
Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional descriptive study of children diagnosed with pneumonia who were admitted into the children's wards between January 2007 and December 2009. The case notes of all children diagnosed of pneumonia who were admitted into the paediatric wards as recorded in the ward register, were reviewed.
Results: Five hundred and ninety-two children met the inclusion criteria. The yearly number ranged from 107 in 2007 to 213 in 2009. The quarterly distribution showed a peak during the north east wind (harmattan) season. Their ages ranged from <1-168 months (mean age 13.2 months, SD=19.84). Neonates accounted for 24.5% of all cases, while 66.9% were Infants and Under-fives were 97.1%. They were 333(56.3%) males and 251(42.4%) females, with a M: F ratio of 1.3:1. Pneumonia alone was the diagnosis in 127(54 .7%) while 106(45.7 %) had pneumonia plus other associated conditions, the commonest being malaria. Heart failure was the commonest complication 69(29.7%). The children who completed their immunization in infancy according to the National program on immunization schedule were 61.2% of cases, those who were exclusively breast feeding for the first six months of life - 31.9%, while HIV/AIDS was observed in 9.1%. The case fatality rate was 9.0% with 79.2% of them as infants.
Conclusion: Pneumonia which is still prevalent in under- fives in this environment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality especially among infants. Efforts to address this contributor to under-five morbidity and mortality is required if MDG4 is to be attained
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