Audit of availability and distribution of paediatric cardiology services and facilities in Nigeria
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cardiovascular Journal of Africa
Abstract
Background: Paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria have been
perceived to be inadequate but no formal documentation of availability
and distribution of facilities and services has been done.
Objective: To evaluate and document the currently available
paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria.
Methods: In this questionnaire-based, cross-sectional descriptive
study, an audit was undertaken from January 2010 to
December 2014, of the personnel and infrastructure, with
their distributions according to geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Results: Forty-eight centres participated in the study,
with 33 paediatric cardiologists and 31 cardiac surgeons.
Echocardiography, electrocardiography and pulse oximetry
were available in 45 (93.8%) centres while paediatric intensive
care units were in 23 (47.9%). Open-heart surgery was
performed in six (12.5%) centres. South-West zone had the
majority of centres (20; 41.7%).
Conclusions: Available paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria
are grossly inadequate and poorly distributed. Efforts should
be intensified to upgrade existing facilities, establish new and
functional centres, and train personnel.
Description
Keywords
audit, Nigeria, paediatric cardiac services, open-heart surgery
Citation
16. Ekure, E. N., Sadoh, W. E., Bode-Thomas, F., Yilgwan, C. S., Abdulkadir, M.B.,,… & Otaigbe, B. E. (2017): Audit of availability and distribution of paediatric cardiology services and facilities in Nigeria. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa. 28(1), 54 - 59