Review of Paediatric Admissions In Mongomo Provincial Hospital, Wele Nzas, Equatorial Guinea

Background: The author was part of the Technical Aid Corps team of the Nigerian Government to Mongomo Provincial Hospital, Wele Nzas province of Equatorial Guinea, between May 1997 and June 1999. Objective: The objective of this report is to determine the pattern and outcome of paediatric admissions at Mongomo Provincial Hospital. It is hoped that the findings will be of value to future medical volunteers to this region and also to donor agencies. Materials And Methods: Case notes of all admitted children were examined. Data collected were age, sex, diagnosis, residential area, duration of hospitalization and outcome. Approval was obtained from the hospital authority to publish the data. Results: There were a total of analyzable 1166 admissions. The major indications for admissions were malaria 330(28.3%), severe anaemia 239(20.5%), pneumonia 204(17.5%), diarrhoeal diseases 196(16.8%), protein energy malnutrition 48(4.1%), septicaemia/meningitis 42(3.6%). Eight hundred and seventy (74.6%) were discharged home, while 70(6.0%) were discharged against medical advice, 44(3.8%) absconded and 178(15.3%) died. Severe anaemia, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases accounted for over 70% of the deaths. Conclusion: Childhood morbidity and mortality in this province were mainly from infections and anaemia. Any effective health assistance to the children of this province must include provision of potent and affordable anti malaria drugs, efficient blood bank services, clean water supply and promotion of optimal breastfeeding practices. Key Words: Paediatric Admissions, Equatorial Guinea Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 7-12