Analysis of risk factors for mortality of in-hospital pneumonia patients in Bushulo Major Health Center, Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia remains a significant health problem in the world with significant morbidity and mortality. More than 1.16 million child pneumonia deaths occurred in just 15 countries (including Ethiopia, India at the first rank) in 2008, according to WHO figures. These 15 countries account for nearly three-quarters of all child pneumonia deaths worldwide. It is more likely in sub Saharan African countries. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the risk factors of mortality of in-hospital patients due to pneumonia at Bushulo Major Health Center, Hawassa. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 431 patients was prepared for those hospitalized with pneumonia during January 2008 to December 2010. Both Bayesian and classical logistic regression models were applied for analyzing the data. Results: The logistic analysis revealed that the odds of being at risk to death due to pneumonia in-hospital was higher for patients with rural residence, diagnosed at wet season, having respiratory distress, with pneumonia complication, having vomiting, with short breathing problem and fast breathing problem, and long duration of the symptoms (disease). However, the risk was lower for patients with long time stay in-hospital and with 36-39 oC body temperature both at first and last diagnosis. Conclusion: Results revealed that the covariates: residence of a patient, whether or not a patient has vomiting, time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis (days), body temperature at first diagnosis (oC), body temperature at last diagnosis (oC), season when a patient diagnosed, pneumonia complications, total hospital stay (days), breathing problem and respiratory distress were significant predictors of discharge/death status of in-hospital pneumonia patients.