TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN ADMITTED TO PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY UNIT OF DILLA UNIVERSITY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, ETHIOPIA, 2023.

Abstract

Background: Children in pediatric emergency units are those who need special attention, and unless treated early, they are a vulnerable population to unwanted outcomes. However, the majority of the children admitted to pediatric emergency units was improving and discharged; a significant number of children are still experiencing death, discharge against medical advice or referral from emergency units within 24 hours. However, there is limited information regarding their outcomes and determinants of outcomes. Objectives: To assess treatment outcome and associated factors among children admitted to pediatric emergency unit of Dilla university referral hospital, Ethiopia 2023. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed among children admitted to the pediatric emergency unit at Dilla University Referral Hospital from May 8, 2023 –June 8, 2023. A one year all charts of the children aged 29 days -14 years were reviewed for the study with final (complete) charts of 885. Data was collected based on a structured checklist developed on the Kobo Toolbox mobile application. Collected data was exported into and analyzed using STATA version 14. Frequency and percentage was used to describe variables. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with treatment outcome. Model goodness of fit was checked using likelihood ratio test and it showed goodness of model fit. Bivariable and multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis were employed. After multivariable analysis, variables with an adjusted odds ratio and a p-value of <0.05 at 95% confidence interval (CI) were declared as factors significantly associated with treatment outcome. Result: Out of the complete 885 patient charts reviewed, the magnitude of patients improved, transferred, died, referred and discharged against medical advice was 51%, 40.9%, 7.6%, 0.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. Children presented with diarrhea [AOR=2.92, 95%CI (1.46-5.84)], severe respiratory distress [AOR=5.08, 95%CI (2.49-10.35)], coma [AOR=3.71, 95%CI (1.24 11.13)], comorbidity [AOR=3.33, 95%CI (1.49-7.41)] and staying home without seeking health care for > two days since the onset of signs and symptoms [AOR=1.99, 95CI (1.03-3.83)] were significantly associated factors with emergency unit mortality, whereas pneumonia [AOR=1.76, 95%CI (1.16-2.65)] and severe acute malnutrition [AOR=3.46, 95%CI (2.06-5.81)] were significantly associated factors with intra-hospital unit/ward transfer. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the magnitude of mortality, transfer to the ward and discharge against medical advice was relatively higher. Presenting with diarrhea, respiratory distress, comorbid illnesses, coma, delay to present, pneumonia and severe acute malnutrition are factors associated with pediatric emergency treatment outcomes. Interventions focused on early diagnoses and the initiation of appropriate treatments was of the utmost relevance to improve patient‟s outcomes.