Respiratory diseases morbidity and mortality in two tertiary health institutions in South West Nigeria: incidence, pattern and referral for physiotherapy care

Abstract

Background: There are several respiratory diseases (RDs) in the Nigerian populace. However, reports on the incidence and physiotherapist's involvement in the care and management of RDs is scarce. This study investigated the incidence, pattern of RDs and referral for physiotherapy care in two Nigerian teaching hospitals. Methodology: A 10-ycar retrospective audit of RDs was conducted at two Nigerian University teaching hospitals, Osun State, South-west, Nigeria. A total :>f2,637 case files of patients with RDs from January, 2005 to December 2014 were reviewed. Types of RDs, socio-demographic information, duration of hospitalization, referral for physiotherapy care, and; status at the point of discharge (dead or alive)] were recorded. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and graphical representations. Results: The frequency of RDs was 12.4% in both hospitals. Pneumonia and respiratory tract infections RTI) 1446(54.8%), tuberculosis 460(17.4%) and; harmonic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), 196(11.2%) were the predominant forms of Rds. Vlore males than females were affected especially: children whose ages ranged between 0 - 9 years instituting 58.2%. Pneumonia/ RTI and COPD were he leading causes of death, 42.1% and 23.3% respectively. Majority of the patients, 77.9% were Discharged within the first week of admission while >only 4(0.2%) of all eases of RDs were referred for physiotherapy.