Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Döring, A.
Über Schwachstellen der ganzheitlichen Betreuung von an TB erkrankten Kindern in Malawi
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2014. pp. 93
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Marth Egon
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- Abstract:
- Abstract Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectious diseases in Malawi. The mortality is especially high in children suffering from TB despite holistic and adequate treatment. An investigation in the district hospital Zomba revealed that about one third of the children treated against TB between 2008 and 2010 had died by 2012. Statement: The purpose of the present retrospective case-control study is to find the reasons for the high mortality. As factors affecting the outcome of the child the following aspects are considered: shortcomings in the long-term medical monitoring and care after discharge from hospital; anthropometric measures; social, cultural, economic and logistical circumstances. Methods: The collection of the datas was done via interviews with relatives of the children who had died of tuberculosis. The comparison group was formed by children treated against tuberculosis and who were still alive in 2012.In total datas about 96 children could be collected. 45 interviews were conducted. Additional data for 51 children was obtained from hospital records. Medical stuff, Malawian social workers and traditional healers were also interviewed. Result: This study revealed that children with a female gender, treated HIV, regular consumption of meat or fish and with access to pipe water have a higher chance to survive TB. A negative influence was identified for an age ≦ 3 years, male gender, not treated HIV, underweight, absence of the father and a longer distance to the next health clinic. Parameters without measurable influence were participation in a feeding program, absence of the mother, number of family members, degree of education, income of the parents and use of traditional medicine. The collection of data was difficult since the documentation of disease progression was sometimes incomplete, contradictory or missing. Also, some of the relatives of the deceased children could not be found.