International Journal of Medicine and Health Development最新文献

{"title":"Venous thromboembolism: Knowledge and awareness among students of faculties of medicine in Southeast Nigeria—A need for curriculum review","authors":"H. Okoye, T. Nwagha, L. Eweputanna, C. Efobi, E. Ezigbo, A. Ugwu, O. Obodo, C. Nonyelu","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_15_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_15_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The burden of venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be reduced through awareness programs, as VTE is largely preventable. Objective: We sought to determine the level of knowledge among medical students in Southeast Nigeria. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in clinical students at four medical schools in the southeast of Nigeria. The pretested and prevalidated version 11 of the Ipsos-Reid questionnaire was used. Results: A total of 784 students with a mean age of 23.5 ± 3.0 years participated in the study. Our respondents showed a high level of awareness of VTE (99.1%). The majority 638 (87.6%) of the respondents correctly described vein thrombosis as a blood clot in a vein. A little more than half of them knew how clots feel in the legs (51.0%) and lungs (57.5%). Their level of awareness of possible risk factors for VTE was above 57%. The relationship between medical school and the level of perception was statistically significant ([P ≤ 0.0001. Conclusion: Awareness is high, but general knowledge was low among our medical students. This may be a call to curriculum adjustment in our medical schools.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81625038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drug abuse among Nigerian high-school adolescents: Exploring the relationship with problematic internet use, suicidality, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem","authors":"T. Opakunle, O. Opakunle, D. Toki, O. Aloba, C. Nwozo","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_17_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_17_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Drug abuse is a global public health problem that is associated with increased psychiatric morbidity and mortality. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of drug abuse and its relationship with problematic Internet use (PIU), suicidality, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem among high school adolescents. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 1304 Nigerian high school adolescents recruited through the multistage stratified sampling method. The participants completed a study-specific sociodemographic questionnaire, a 10-item Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire-Short Form-6 (PIU-SF-6), the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Suicidality module, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results: The prevalence rate of drug abuse was 49.8%. Adolescents who abused drugs had higher mean scores on PIU, suicidality, depression, and anxiety scales and lower scores on the self-esteem scale. All these variables cumulatively accounted for approximately 22% of the total variance in the DAST score. Conclusions: Drug abuse is still prevalent among Nigerian adolescents, with a significant association with PIU, suicidality, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. All these variables may provide the template for psychological and social interventions that are specifically targeted to the management of drug abuse among Nigerian adolescents.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86159854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emergency preparedness for management of suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever among healthcare workers in a tertiary referral center","authors":"C. Onubogu, J. Njoku, S. Ushie, R. Egeonu, G. Obasikene, C. Anyaoku, Chinekwu Nwosu, O. Emelumadu","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_14_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_14_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Effective viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) control demand adequate emergency preparedness among healthcare workers (HCWs). Objective: This study assessed the emergency preparedness for VHF control among HCWs at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 345 HCW at the NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria. Data was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, IBM, Chicago IL, USA) software version 21. Chi square and student’s t-test were used to test associations between categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Their mean age and length of service were 33.9 ± 8.88 and 6.6 ± 7.08 years, respectively. Two-third were doctors, nurses and lab scientists. A major proportion of the HCWs were aware of VHF (88.4%), and knew it could be acquired at workplace (83.8%) and at least 2 correct features (74.2%) or one preventive measure (79.1%). Only 53.0% and 47.2% knew that the hospital had a VHF control policy and standard operating procedure (SOP), respectively. Different category of HCWs varied significantly in awareness of VHF; and knowledge about the risk of acquiring it at workplace, features or preventive measures, and VHF control policy or SOP. Doctors, nurses and lab scientists performed better than other HCWs in VHF knowledge. Previous training on VHF or encounter with suspected case was highest among the doctors (P < 0.001) while adequate supply (P < 0.001) or regular use (P = 0.008) of PPE was highest among lab scientists. Suspected VHF case was encountered by 21.2% of the HCWs out of which 26% (19/73) notified relevant unit. Only 29.3% of the HCWs agreed that VHF control was adequate in their unit. Commonest reasons cited for disagreeing were lack of training (79.2%), standard precaution materials (63.6%), SOPs (59.7%) and inadequate support by hospital management (58.4%). Conclusion: Emergency preparedness for VHF control was poor among studied HCWs. Innovative surveillance/notification system, and best practices for infection control should be enforced. HCWs should be adequately trained on VHF control.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74837977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accuracy of Mammography in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer","authors":"Brenda Nwammuo, E. Umeh, U. Ebubedike, Skye Nwosu, Kelechi Elendu, Chijioke N Umeokafor, C. Ukah, O. Egwuonwu","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_48_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_48_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Mammography was recently introduced at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria for breast cancer screening and diagnosis at the institution. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of mammography in the assessment of palpable malignant breast lump among adult females referred from the NAUTH outpatient clinics using histopathology as gold standard. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross sectional study involved recruitment of consenting adult females with palpable breast lump referred for mammography between October 2017 and November 2019 at NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria. Two standard views—cranio-caudal (CC) and medio-lateral oblique (MLO)—were done for each patient. Spot magnification or other supplementary views were only done when indicated. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for Windows software. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of malignant breast lesions were 41.4%, 98%, 96.7%, 54.4%, and 65%, respectively. The most common features of malignancy were mammographic opacity with an irregular outline (86.7%) and architectural distortion (80%), whereas asymmetric density (10%) was the least common feature. Conclusion: Mammography has a fairly high overall diagnostic accuracy in breast cancer diagnosis. However, an alternative imaging modality is required for dense breasts. This study’s reported specificity (98%) suggests that the test has a very high ability to correctly identify non-cancerous breast lumps. This is particularly relevant in breast cancer screening with an objective to rule out the presence of the disease among adult females in the population.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87972151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adherence and Implementation-related Challenges of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Guidelines among Nurses at Health Centers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria","authors":"Damiete Amachree, C. Eleke","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_35_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_35_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines are a standardized diagnostic and treatment approach developed by the World Health Organization for the management of common childhood diseases. Objective: This study assessed the adherence and implementation-related challenges of the IMCI guidelines among nurses at health centers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical design was employed to examine nurses in all the 12 Model Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centers (MCPHCs) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The census sampling technique was used to enroll 52 consenting participants. Data were collected by (1) observation and recording on a checklist and then (2) semi-structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, Chi-square, and prevalence ratio at a 5% level of significance with the aid of IBM-SPSS version 25. Results: About half (53.8%) of the participants demonstrated adequate overall adherence to all the steps of the IMCI guidelines. Adequate adherence to all the steps of the IMCI guidelines was 83% higher among participants trained on the IMCI guidelines (P = 0.038). The participants’ educational qualifications (P = 0.722) and years of professional nursing practice (P = 0.477) were not associated with adherence to the IMCI guidelines. The categories of the IMCI guidelines implementation-related challenges reported by the participants were a lack of training update on the IMCI guidelines (94.2%), a lack of the IMCI booklets (69.2%), and work-time pressure (53.8%) among others. Conclusion: Adherence to the IMCI guidelines was short of desired levels. In recommendation, frequent training and regular provision of the IMCI booklets in the MCPHCs are required.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86545735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and pattern of dysmenorrhea among secondary school girls in Enugu Metropolis: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Edith Ikpeama, E. Izuka, J. Enebe, U. Umeh, C. Obiora-Izuka, U. Nwagha","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_33_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_33_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Globally, dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual condition among adolescent girls. It interferes with the emotions and physical activities and adversely affects school attendance and performance. However, the prevalence and pattern of presentation are underexplored in Nigeria. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and patterns of dysmenorrhea and its effect on school attendance in adolescent girls in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study is a population-based cross-sectional survey of the prevalence and pattern of dysmenorrhea among 326 secondary school girls in Enugu Metropolis between October and December 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM version 23.0. Chi square was used to test for association between categorical variables, and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 75%. Majority of the students (60.7%) had 1–2 days of menstrual pain, with 39.3% presenting with severe pain. The length of menstrual cycle (P < 0.011) and duration of flow (P < 0.009) were significantly higher among subjects with dysmenorrhea than those without dysmenorrhea. Forty-six students (14.1%) were absent from school due to dysmenorrhea; however, there was no significant association between dysmenorrhea and school absenteeism (P > 0.05). Also, there was no significant association between degree of pain and school absenteeism (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high among secondary school girls in Enugu, Nigeria. It was associated with the length of menstrual cycle and duration of flow. There was no association between degree of dymenorrhean and school absenteeism.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76845702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Nutritional Status of Children with Asthma and Its Relationship with Acute Exacerbations","authors":"H. Akhiwu, I. Aliyu, C. John, E. Yiltok, S. Oguche","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_47_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_47_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. There is increasing international interests in the role of nutrition in asthma control. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of children with asthma using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference charts for height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) for age and to determine the relationship if any between nutritional status and frequency of acute asthmatic exacerbations. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study of children aged 6–17 years with asthma attending the pediatric respiratory clinic of a tertiary hospital from October 2017 to March 2019. All the values obtained were interpreted using the WHO reference growth charts z-scores. Results: A total of 71 children participated in the study. The study showed that 94% of the children with asthma were of normal height with 2.6% stunted and 2.6% severely stunted. There was no significant association between the height and the frequency of acute exacerbation. About 65% of the children had normal BMI. Those that were wasted/severely wasted were 19.7%, whereas 15.5% were overweight/at risk of overweight. There was no significant association between the BMI and the frequency of acute exacerbations (P > 0.05). The odds of having more frequent exacerbations in children with either above normal or below normal BMI were 1.05 (0.11–10.44) and 0.81 (0.08–7.88), respectively. Conclusion: Majority of the children with asthma were of normal height. Despite the fact that there were more children who were wasted/severely wasted than overweight/risk of overweight, these findings were not significantly associated with more frequent acute exacerbations.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78273471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and people without diabetes at a tertiary hospital in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria","authors":"Perpetua O. U. Okpuruka, Agnes N Anarado, Eunice I. Nwonu, A. Chinweuba, N. Ogbonnaya, H. Opara, Chinenye Anetekhai","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_20_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_20_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL), a patient-sensitive outcome globally, has become the clinician’s primary goal of care. Evidence suggests that diabetes mellitus (DM) and its treatment/care impair patients’ HRQOL, which varies depending on patient population/factors. Diabetics’ HRQOL in South-South Nigeria is largely unknown. Objectives: This study assessed and compared the HRQOL of patients with type 2 diabetes attending the outpatient diabetic clinic at a tertiary hospital in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria with age-/gender-matched nondiabetics living within the same environment. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional comparative study recruited 200 respondents, respectively those with type 2 diabetes (cases) and nondiabetics (controls). Data were collected by using the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics at P≤ 0.05 level of significance. Results: The two groups (200 each) had no significant differences (P = 0.35 - P = 0.98) in terms of their demographic variables. The diabetic group mean scores were significantly (P = 0.00) lower than that of the non-diabetics in terms of WHOQOL-BREF overall, health satisfaction, physical, psychological, and social domains. Diabetics with tertiary education (58%) had a significantly higher mean score (P = 0.012) in terms of overall WHOQOL-BREF than those with secondary and primary education (42%). Ninety-two patients (46%) with diabetes had comorbidities that increased significantly with age (P = 0.00) and expressed less satisfaction with their health (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Patients with diabetes had lower HRQOL scores than non-diabetics, implying the negative impact of diabetes and its treatment/care on their life. Diabetics’ HRQOL should be routinely evaluated and enhanced by empowering diabetic self-care activities that aid diabetes control and retard complications.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73195948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of risky sexual behavior among unmarried adolescents in Southeast Nigeria","authors":"I. Eze, C. Mbachu, M. Ndubuisi, I. Agu, N. Ezumah, O. Onwujekwe","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_14_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_14_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Adolescent risky sexual behavior is of a public health concern as most outcomes have long-term negative consequences on adolescents’ health and development. Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of risky sexual behavior among unmarried adolescents in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was undertaken in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, using a pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from 1045 adolescent boys and girls. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were performed using STATA software. Results: A total of 372 (35.6%) adolescents in the survey ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend. About, 369 (36.0%) had been pressurized by others to have sex, 73 (7.0%) had engaged in multiple sexual partnering, 3.0% had engaged in age-disparate sex, 27 (2.6%) had a one-night stand, and 37 (2.4%) reported they had engaged in nonconsensual sex. Lifestyle risky behaviors that were reported include partying/night clubbing 399 (38.1%), the use of mood-enhancing drugs 319 (30.5%), and alcohol consumption 316 (30.2%). Some sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with multiple sexual partnering, age-disparate sex, nonconsensual sex, and other lifestyle risky behaviors. In logistic regression analysis, gender was a predictor of multiple sexual partnering, age-disparate sex, and nonconsensual sex (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43, confidence interval [CI] = 1.40–3.71; OR = 10.0, CI = 0.03–0.29; OR = 3.0, CI = 0.01–0.14, respectively), while type of place of residence (OR = 1.75, CI = 0.35–0.92) and schooling status (OR = 3.70, CI = 0.13–0.41) were predictors of multiple sexual partnering. Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviors were prevalent among adolescents highlighting the need for strategic SRH interventions that pay close attention to identified drivers that predispose adolescents to unhealthy sexual behaviors.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74045983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pediatric “brought in dead”: Analysis of the characteristics and probable causes in a Nigerian tertiary hospital","authors":"B. Edelu, I. Ndu, Obinna Chukwuebuka Nduagubam, FrankN Ogbuka, I. Asinobi","doi":"10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_8_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_8_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Information obtained from the “brought in dead” (BID) cases is important in understanding the challenges in seeking health care and help in policy making. Objective: This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of children presenting to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu as BID and probable causes of death. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of ESUTH. Information from all cases of BID children presenting to the CHER of ESUTH between May 2016 and April 2020 was recorded in a register after the confirmation of death. A probable diagnosis was made by verbal autopsy. Data were entered and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (Chicago, IL). Results were presented as tables, bar chart, and prose. Results: There were 124 cases of BID, accounting for 2.2% of the total presentations and 43.1% of the mortalities. Their ages ranged from one month to 192 months, with a median age of 12 months. Majority (61, 49.2%) of the dead children were infants. There was an almost equal sex distribution with 63 males and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1. Probable causes of death included acute gastroenteritis (AGE), severe anemia, sepsis, acute encephalitic syndrome, and aspiration. None of the cases was referred from a health facility. There was a bimodal peak for the annual presentation (January and October). Most of the presentations were during the day (86, 69.4%). None of the parents gave consent for autopsy. Conclusion: The rate of children dying before receiving health care in our hospital is high; there is an urgent need for continuous mass mobilization within the communities to improve the health-seeking behaviors, and also to teach them to recognize danger signs in children.","PeriodicalId":14106,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medicine and Health Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78439432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}