Niger J Clin Pract
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Comparative Study
Mortality patterns in the accident and emergency department of an urban hospital in Nigeria.
The accident and emergency (A & E) department of any hospital provides an insight to the quality of care available in the institution. The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) is a foremost institution in the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria, servicing a core population of about 5 million people. The aim of this review was to highlight the demographic patterns of mortality, time spent before death in the emergency room. ⋯ Improvement in management techniques might unravel the mysteries of death of unknown origin. Management of medical emergencies should be emphasized in the training of accident and emergency workers.
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Comparative Study
Knowledge and attitudes of terminally ill patients and their family to palliative care and hospice services in Nigeria.
A palliative care and Hospice service is a neglected aspect of medical discipline especially in a developing country like Nigeria. With the global increase in incidence of cancer and HIV/AIDS and 70% of them presenting late, coupled with limited resources, for effective symptom control, palliative care therefore remains the only option left to improve the quality of life of the patients. ⋯ There is a gross lack of knowledge about PC&H in our community as evidenced among the participants studied. However, there is a positive attitude towards PC&H suggesting a general acceptance, since there is presently no well established Hospice in Nigeria; we recommend that government and Non governmental organizations should assist in this area. A hospital based Hospice might be a starting point.