PATTERN OF MORBIDITY OF PATIENTS ADMITTED TO NIGERIAN TERTIARY-LEVEL HOSPITALS: INSIGHTS FROM THE MOHOPA STUDY.

Background: There is a paucity of nationally representative data on the pattern of morbidity of hospitalised medical patients in Nigeria. We hereby provide insights from the MOHOPA (Pattern of Morbidities, Mortality and Healthcare Financing of Hospitalised Medical Patients in Hospitals) study on the pattern of morbidity among patients admitted to the medical wards of Nigerian tertiary-level hospitals.

Methods: At least 100 patients admitted to the medical and emergency wards of 7 tertiary-level hospitals, spread across the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria and the Capital City of Abuja, were consecutively recruited to join the study after obtaining written informed consent.

Results: A total of 705 patients were recruited consecutively between May 2023 and March 2024, from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Their mean age was 51.3 ± 18.3 years and 44.7% were females. Cardiovascular disease was the primary cause of admission in 22.1% of patients, followed by neurological (16.5%) and renal (14.3%) diseases. 74.2% of the patients had an important co-morbidity; the most common being cardiovascular (21.3%) followed by infectious (13.3%) and renal (9.7%) diseases. These patterns however varied significantly by region (Northern vs Southern) but not by gender (males vs females).

Conclusion: Cardiovascular, neurological, and renal disorders were the most common indications for admission and infectious diseases were important co-morbidities. The results will be vital for strategic planning and policy formulation.