Pattern of diarrheal diseases in Atwima Nwabiagya District-Ghana, 2009- 2013.

Nana Yaw Peprah,Edwin Afari,Akosua Gyasi,Kofi Mensah Nyarko,Samuel Oko Sackey ,Donne Kofi Ameme

doi:10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.6207

Abstract

IntroductionDiarrheal diseases remain one of the most important public health challenges worldwide. In 2011, Ghana recorded average annual diarrheal cases of 2,218 per 100,000 populations for children under-five with Ashanti region recording the third highest. In the Atwima Nwabiagya District, summary statistics are done without detailed analysis. We analyzed diarrheal surveillance data to determine its pattern and to develop threshold levels for the disease in Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.MethodsDistrict level diarrheal morbidity data from January 2009 to December 2013 was extracted from District Health Information Management System II, cleaned and analyzed. Descriptive analysis was done and expressed as frequencies and relative frequencies. Description of the data was done in time, place and person. We calculated diarrhea threshold using the C2 method.ResultsOverall, 51,131 cases were reported with 55.2% being females over the five year period. The highest episode of diarrhea by age-group occurred in children under-five during the study period. Changes in disease occurrence did not conform to a seasonal pattern. District analysis showed one outbreak whilst sub-district analysis revealed more than one outbreak.ConclusionDiarrheal disease pattern did not show a seasonal trend. Only one outbreak was observed at district level but each sub-district, showed more than one outbreak. The highest number of episodes of diarrhea per year occurred in Children under- five. Data analysis should be done at lower levels to inform interventions. Interventions should be targeted towards children under-five years.

Highlights

Diarrheal diseases remain one of the most important public health challenges worldwide, in developing countries where they cause high morbidity and mortality
Methods: district level diarrheal morbidity data from January 2009 to December 2013 was extracted from District Health Information Management System II, cleaned and analyzed
In the Atwima Nwabiagya District, summary statistics are done without detailed analysis and action threshold levels are not set to help guide interventions

Summary

Introduction

Diarrheal diseases remain one of the most important public health challenges worldwide, in developing countries where they cause high morbidity and mortality. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under five years and is responsible for killing about 760 000 children every year globally[1]. Most deaths from diarrhea occur among children less than two years of age living in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa [2]. Children under three years old experience on average three episodes of diarrhea every year. In Ghana, data on diarrheal diseases is collected routinely through the District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS II) but in-depth analysis is not done at the sub-district and district level.

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Results

Conclusion