Pediatric Discharges Against Medical Advice: A Review of Cases in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| Author | Adefunke Olarinre Babatola | en |
| Author | Oladele Simeon Olatunya | en |
| Author | Ezra Olatunde Ogundare | en |
| Author | Ayotunde Emmanuel Ajibola | en |
| Author | Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo | en |
| Author | Isaac Oludare Oluwayemi | en |
| Author | Adebukola Bidemi Ajite | en |
| Author | Adewuyi Temidayo Adeniyi | en |
| Author | Akinwumi Kolawole Komolafe | en |
| Author | Joseph Olusesan Fadare | en |
| Author | Oyeku Akibu Oyelami | en |
| Issued Date | 2021-08-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Knowledge of the profile of pediatric discharge against medical advice (DAMA) may help design interventions to reduce its prevalence. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the profile of pediatric DAMA at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study included all pediatric cases of DAMA from January 2012 to December 2018. Relevant information was extracted from the patients’ case notes. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Results: The overall prevalence of pediatric DAMA was 3.8%. Of the 233 pediatric DAMA with complete information, 127 (54.5%) were males. Severe malaria (27.3%) was the most common diagnosis among DAMA cases at the children emergency ward (CEW), while severe perinatal asphyxia (25.0%) and neonatal sepsis (25.0%) were the most common at the special care baby unit (SCBU). Only 1 (0.4%) patient was enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Moreover, 43 (18.5%) parents took DAMA due to financial constraints, and 55% of the patients had their DAMA form signed by their fathers. In addition, among the patients who referred for follow-up, 11 (4.7%) patients fully recovered, 2 (0.8%) recovered with disability, 1 (0.4%) was readmitted, and 1 (0.4%) died. The highest and lowest DAMA rates were in the months of May and December, respectively. Patients aged under five years old who took DAMA significantly had infectious diseases compared to older age groups (P Conclusions: Pediatric DAMA remains a challenging, multifaceted problem in pediatric health care services in our practice location. Increasing NHIS coverage, promoting female education, family empowerment, and home visitation/follow-up on phone may play a role in reducing its burden. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/compreped.107577 | en |
| Keyword | Pediatric | en |
| Keyword | Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) | en |
| Keyword | Under-Fives | en |
| Keyword | Socioeconomic Status | en |
| Keyword | Infectious Diseases | en |
| Keyword | Nigeria | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Pediatric Discharges Against Medical Advice: A Review of Cases in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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