Contribution of the First Two Years of Post-Neonatal Life to Under Five Morbidity and Mortality at a Tertiary Health Facility

Abstract

Introduction: The first two years of life are particularly important as optimal nutrition and care during this period lowers morbidity and mortality. Much has been documented on morbidity and mortality among children aged under-5 years. This study was aimed at evaluating the contribution of morbidity and mortality in the first 2 years of post-neonatal life to under-5 morbidity and mortality. Results: The total number of children aged 29 days to 5 years, admitted over the study period was 480, out of which those aged 29 days-2years were 346 (72.1%). There were 300 males and 180 females giving male: female ratio of 1.7:1. Malaria, acute watery diarrhea and sepsis (35.6%, 21.3%, and 18.5% respectively) were the leading morbidities in those aged 29 days-5 years. Morbidity was significantly more in the 29 days-2years age bracket, P=0.042. Monthly morbidity was significantly more in the 29 days-2years age group, than the 29 days-5years age bracket. P=0.000. Two hundred and eighty-eight (83.2%) of those aged 29 days-2 years and 412(85.5%) of those aged 29 days-5years, respectively, were discharged; while their case fatalities were 12.4% and 9.8% respectively with no significant difference in their admission outcome. P = 0.081. Conclusions: The contribution of morbidity in the 29 days-2years age group is significantly high in the overall 29 days-5years age group morbidity. Measures taken to curb morbidity in the under-2 age group could impact positively on the health status of all children. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all the children aged 29 days to 5 years, admitted into the department of Paediatrics of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, over a one-year period.