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Causes of Admissions of Rural African Patients to Murchison Hospital, Natal, South Africa

Human Biochemistry Research Unit, South African Institute for Medical Research, P O Box 1038, Johanneshurg 2000, South Africa

B.F. Walker, Dipl Dom Sci

Human Biochemistry Research Unit, South African Institute for Medical Research, P O Box 1038, Johanneshurg 2000, South Africa

M.J. Dunn

Murchison Hospital, Port Shepstone, Natal, South Africa

S.E. Dunn, MB, ChB

Murchison Hospital, Port Shepstone, Natal, South Africa

An analysis has been made of causes of admission of black patients in 1991 to Murchison Hospital, Port Shepstone, Natal. Of 667 5 total admissions, 6329 (95%) were classifiable. Of the latter, 1462 (23%) were aged 12 years and-younger, namely, 763 boys and 699 girls. Their chief causes of admission were pneumonia, gastroenteritis, trauma, acute glomerular nephritis, and malnutritional diseases. Of 4867 adults (73%), 1536 were males and 3331 females. Among men, chief causes were tuberculosis, congestive cardiac failure, hypertension and cerebral vascular accidents. Among women, apart from preg nancy, chief causes of admission were disorders of pregnancy, tuberculosis, congestive cardiac failure, pneumonia, diabetes, and hypertension. Of western diseases, 3.9% of adults were admitted for diabetes, and 2.8% for asthma. The general pattern of admissions is similar to that in other rural hospitals. The causes of admissions are discussed, regarding (1) public health improvements occurring, and (2) means of promoting further improvements by (a) community self-help, and (b) help from State health and other services.

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Vol. 114, No. 1, 33-38 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/146642409411400107


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