The Effect of Drought in South East Ethiopia: Study of Pediatric Admissions to Gode Hospital

Abstract

BACK GROUND: The East African region of the continent, particularly Ethiopia experienced prolonged drought during 1997-2000 resulting in severe food shortage especially in southeast part of the country. As a result people, mostly children suffered from malnutrition, which is associated cause of death for more than half of all underfive mortality in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describes the profile and outcome of pediatric admissions to Gode Hospital during the relief activities in the year 2000. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 323 children admitted to Gode Hospital, Somali regional state, during April to August 2000 with the objective of analyzing the profile and outcome of pediatric admissions among people with long standing food shortage in drought affected area. RESULTS: A total of 323 children were admitted to the ward during the stated period of which 98% were under-five children with male to female ratio of 1.4:1; 23% percent of the admissions were underweight and 64% severely malnourished. Females were more prone to severe protein energy malnutrition than males. Pneumonia, gastroenteritis and sepsis were common related diseases complicating protein energy malnutrition in 51%, 32% and 28% of admitted children respectively. All were managed in the ward with a specialized case management for malnourished children and discharged after a median hospital stay of 12 days. The over all mortality was 18% with case fatality rate of 23% for severe protein energy malnutrition. CONCLUSION: It is clear from this study that children aged 2 years and below, moreover girls, were affected and died from severe forms of protein energy malnutrition. Compared to high case fatality rate (49%) in previous reports, it is shown as well a specialized management somehow decreased deaths in severely malnourished children complicated by infections and other diseases.

Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 13, No. 2 July 2003