Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases are the main reasons for admission to the medical
wards in high-income countries. While in low and middle income countries communicable diseases
are the main reasons for admission to the medical wards. However, in some low and middle income
countries the reasons for admission are changing from communicable diseases to noncommunicable diseases. But, data on reasons for admission to the medical wards of low income
countries is scarce. Therefore, this study takes one year data from a low income country referral
hospital aiming at describing the recent reasons and outcomes of medical admissions to see whether
there is a change in reasons for admission and the outcome.
METHODS: A retrospective study examined patient case notes and ward registration books of
medical admissions at Jimma University Specialized Hospital from January 1, 2008 to December 31,
2008. Socio-demographic variables, reasons and outcomes of admission were some of the variables
recorded during the data collection. The International Statistical Classification of Disease was used
for sorting and categorizing the diagnosis. The data was then analyzed using SPSS windows version
13.0.
RESULT: A total of 610 patient case notes were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 36
years (SD + 15.75). The highest number of admissions 218 (35.7%) was among the age groups 21 to
30 years. Communicable diseases; namely severe community acquired pneumonia 139(22.8%), all
infectious and parasitic diseases category 100 (16.4%), and pyogenic as well as chronic meningitis
80(13.1%) were the most common reasons for admission. The death rate among patients admitted to
the medical wards was 12.6%.
CONCLUSIONS: Communicable diseases were still the common reasons for medical admissions at
Jimma University Specialized Hospital. The outcome of medical admissions has not changed over
sixteen years.
