Interventional based study to reduce child mortality in rural Uganda

Abstract

Background:

Reducing child mortality is a WHO Millennium Development Goal. Child mortality rate in Uganda in 2009 was 128. In a rural hospital observations on the paediatric ward were being performed infrequently.

Methods:

Introduction of regular observation

Hourly, two hourly or 4 hourly observation on sick children

Training of nurses I interpretation of observations.

The number of admissions, discharges and deaths was calculated during two six month periods and mortality rates calculated.

Results:

Mortality decreased from 6.9% (34 deaths from 496 admissions) to 4% (27 deaths from 706 admissions). This is statistically significant (p-value 0.023). The demographics, cause of death and length of stay remained similar in both groups.

Conclusions:

The simple intervention of regular nursing observation in children with associated training of nurses has resulted in a statistically significant reduction in child mortality rates in a rural hospital in Uganda.