The Profile of Indications for Radiography in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital; Bloemfontein

Introduction. Radiography is a key diagnostic tool in paediatric care. A pro-active approach (including the use of radiography) is required to ensure effective management of these patients. Taking into account the widely documented harmful effects of ionising radiation and the small organ masses of neonates; the number of radiographs that neonates receive during hospital admission is of particular concern. A reduction in radiation exposure tailored to specific indications would be advantageous. The aim of this study was therefore to establish a profile of indications for radiographs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital; Bloemfontein; South Africa.Methods. A retrospective; descriptive study was conducted over a 1-month period (8 September - 8 October 2010). Information was obtained from the online Medi-Tech system used to request radiographs.Results. A total of 469 radiographs were performed on 51 neonates. Twenty-seven male and 24 female neonates received 226 (48.2) and 243 (51.8) radiographs; respectively. The radiographs were classified into routine (91.9) and urgent (8.1). Chest radiographs were requested most frequently (59.5). The most commonly recorded indication was prematurity (37.1); followed by respiratory-related indications (28.5). The highest number of radiographs performed on a single neonate was 46. Conclusions. All radiographs were requested online; supporting the validity of the study with regard to the number of radiographs performed and their respective indications. A representative profile of indications was successfully obtained; which can assist with the implementation of further research on the stratification of radiation exposure according to indications for radiographs

Health in Ethiopia: a summary of 52 district health profiles

This paper integrates the data contained in 52 district health profiles completed during the years 1988 to 1991. These profiles encompass approximately 40 percent of the Ethiopian population and thus provide a summary assessment of health services and health status. Thirty percent of children were found to be attending school; 33 percent of children under five years of age were malnourished; and 35 percent of the population had access to safe water. The analysis was stratified by districts; urban versus rural populations; and hospital versus non hospital health institutions. Large disparities between districts were found in measures of health and human development. On a per capita basis; urban districts benefit from three times the number of physicians; four times more nurses; and double the number of health assistants. Nearly; 70 percent of physicians and nurses were hospital based. Of the 1.88 birr per capita yearly health expenditure; hospital budget accounted for 60 percent. This summary review of health profiles provides baseline data on the health of Ethiopians early in the establishment of district health services from which future trends can be monitored

Water handling procedures and their association with childhood diarrhoea

Acute childhood diarrhoea is the leading cause of death in children under five in Ethiopia. This is largely the result of lack of access to safe water; poor environmental sanitation; and crowding. In view of this; the aim of the present study was to document water handling practices and their association with childhood diarrhoea in the Garamuleta District of East Hararghe Region; Ethiopia. Water handling practices of families were monitored and the occurrence of diarrhoea was documented every two weeks over a 16 week period in 254 children under 6 years of age. The mean walking distance from the primary water source was 4.5 minutes and the mean per capita daily water consumption was 7.6 litres. The two week period prevalence for diarrhoea during these follow-up visits ranged from 2.4 per cent to 14.8 per cent with a mean of 9 per cent; which corresponds to 2.3 episodes per child per year. There was no statistical difference between safe and unsafe water handling exposure groups in the occurrence of diarrhoea. Religion; site of water collection; time to fetch water; mother's education; type of container; per capita water consumption; and age of the child were found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of diarrhoea. It is concluded that relative to generally inadequate environmental sanitation; water handling practices are not an important contributor to acute childhood diarrhoea