Incidence Of Discharge Against Medical Advice (Dama) In Adult Medical Wards Of The Federal Medical Centre Asaba

Abstract

Background: A retrospective study aimed at evaluating the causes, incidence and pattern of the phenomenon of discharge against medical advice (DAMA) in the medical wards of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The case files of patients admitted in the medical wards between November 2005 and October 2007 were retrieved and reviewed. Relevant data were extracted and simple statistics derived.
Results: A total of 1860 patients were admitted within this period. Eighty four (4.52%) left against medical advice. Male /female ratio was 1:1.33. The ages ranged between 15 and 90 years (mean 51.56years±18.35). The commonest cause of DAMA in male subjects was to seek alternative treatments while in females, it was financial constraints.
Conclusion: Patients DAMA for various reasons and measures to reduce it must tackle the fundamental causes.


Keywords: Incidence, Discharge Against Medical Advice, Asaba.

Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 12 (1) 2008: pp. 41-44