Affiliation:
1. Pharmacy Department, Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, Bayelsa, Nigeria
2. Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa, Nigeria
Abstract
Abstract
Background:
Malaria is Nigeria’s biggest public health problem, accounting for around 30% of all fatalities among children under 5 years, 25% of infant deaths, and 11% of maternal mortality.
Aims and Objectives:
The study aimed to identify the outcomes of malaria therapy in children under 12 who were admitted and managed at three health facilities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and if the treatment pattern adhered to standard guidelines.
Materials and Methods:
A detailed retrospective survey was designed, and a data collection instrument was utilized to obtain clinical, medical, and medication histories for children from the selected health facilities between January 2019 and June 2020. The survey collected data from 1312 children. The data were analyzed using a Chi-square test in SPSS version 23.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013.
Results:
From the data obtained, only 37.73% of the 1312 participants underwent a malaria parasite (MP) test. The most common diagnosis made at the Primary HealthCare Center (PHC) was acute/uncomplicated malaria (43.0%), followed by diarrhea (21.3%), and gastroenteritis (GET) with upper respiratory tract infection (15.7%). The most common diagnoses for Secondary HealthCare Center (SEC) and Federal/Tertiary HealthCare Center (FHI) were malaria with GET (22.5%) and severe malaria with meningitis (18.1%). The majority of patients were effectively handled and discharged, FHI (73.0%), SEC (91.1%), and PHC (94.0%). Other notable outcomes included patients’ task capacity and a temperature decreased to normal (TDN).
Conclusion:
There was a significant correlation between demographic data and treatment outcomes (P < 0.05). Although the three health facilities provided competent patient management along with appropriate prescription trends for malaria and comorbidities, there was a low proportion of patients who received an MP test, particularly at the FHI.