Factors that may contribute to death from typhoid infection among Nigerians

Ninety-five cases of typhoid infection seen at autopsy at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, over a 10-year period were reviewed. They constituted 2.7% of 3,556 autopsies performed during this period. Apart from the associated conditions such as sickle cell disease, aplastic anaemia, schistosomiasis, liver cirrhosis and pregnancy which may lower the patients' immunity, a delay in seeking medical care, misdiagnoses, inappropriate therapy and a high complication rate were some of the factors that would appear to contribute to mortality. Therefore, in order to reduce death associated with these factors, it is essential to improve the health education of the people stressing the importance of personal communal hygiene and prompt hospital attendance from the onset of illness. There must also be improved clinical awareness of the disease to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. These are of great importance as the disease is treatable.