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Published:
Mar 31, 2025Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Time to Death and Its Predictors among Children with Bacterial Meningitis in Southwest Ethiopia, 2022. A Retrospective follow-up study
Abstract
Background
Bacterial Meningitis (BM) is an infectious disease characterized by infection and inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord. Globally, it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting 2.81 million children each year.
Objective
The aim of the study was to assess the time to death and its predictors among children with bacterial meningitis in Southwest, Ethiopia.
Methods
Institutional-based retrospective follow-up study design was conducted among 372 paediatric patients with bacterial meningitis. Systematic random sampling was used to select eligible medical records from February 15 to March 15, 2022. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank were computed to estimate and compare failure time. Bivariate and multivariable Cox-regression models were fitted to identify predictors of time to death. A hazard ratio (HR) and adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Result
The overall median time of death was 16 (95% CI, 11.4-17.5) days. Impaired consciousness (AHR=3.88; 95%CI 1.9- 7.9), seizure (AHR=2.2; 95%CI 1.06- 4.45), and steroid drug use (AHR=4.8; 95%CI 2.03-11.3) were predictors significantly associated with time to death.
Conclusion
The proportion of deaths was high compared to those of the previous studies. Impaired consciousness, seizure and use of steroid were associated with time to death.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2025;8(1):61-74
