RESUMO
Purpose: To provide an overview of morbidity and mortality in the medical wards of a teaching hospital and to generate discussions among staff members with a view to improving patient outcomes and data handling. Methods: A retrospective survey of admissions and mortalities in the medical wards of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital was undertaken from 1st January to 30th June 2006; using ward Record and Change books; and copies of death certificates. Morbidity data were assessed for two medical wards and mortalities for all medical admissions within the period under review were evaluated. Results: Health information was managed entirely manually. Data sources were quite often inaccessible or mutilated; and the utility of available data was limited by incomplete and incorrect documentation. No clinical coding of morbidities or mortalities was available. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its complications accounted for significantly more female than male admissions (26.1and 16.2respectively; p=0.005); and for more female than male deaths (34.6and 29.6respectively; p 0.0001). Most deaths occurred between midnight and the start of the working day; with a second peak during prime working hours. Conclusions: Less than optimal health information management was apparent in the health facility studied. Mortality among the patients was highest in HIV-infected patients than other diseases. Capacity building and appropriate infrastructural development is required to improve the management of vitally important health information