Causes of Medical Admissions and Outcomes in a Tertiary Health Centre in Northeast Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Knowledge of prevalent medical conditions in a community is necessary for effective and efficient health-care planning. In low- and middle-income countries, community studies are very costly; hence, hospital-based studies are often employed to give rough estimates of prevalent medical conditions. This study aims to evaluate the pattern of medical admission and outcome in a tertiary health centre in Northeast Nigeria as well as the contribution of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) to the outcome. Materials and Methods: This is a four-year retrospective study of all admissions into the Medical wards of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital. The case files of all patients admitted during the study period were retrieved and the following were extracted; demographic data, admitting diagnosis, comorbid conditions, length of hospital stay, and outcome. Results: During the period under review 1995 patients were admitted, with mean age of males and females of 52.28 ± 19.7 years and 49.3 ± 18.7 years, respectively. Infectious/parasitic diseases constituted 28.2% followed by diseases of the circulatory and digestive systems with 27.3% and 12.9%, respectively. NCDs constitute the highest number of patients admitted (n = 1405, 71%). Two hundred and ninety-five patients died during the period (14.7%) the highest in 2021 with 93 deaths. NCDs were responsible for 64% of the mortality, whereas death among the CD was 36%. Conclusion: NCDs were responsible for the majority of admissions and mortality during the study period.