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Frequency Distribution of Pediatric Primary Care Cases in a Rural Site in The Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Study
Jonah Mikka B Dorado1, Leonila F Dans1,2, Carol Stephanie C Tan-Lim3
1Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila.
Insights
Respiratory tract infections and skin infections are the most common pediatric diseases in a rural Philippine primary care setting. Electronic medical records (EMR) facilitated this analysis of common childhood illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Primary care in the Philippines provides comprehensive healthcare for children.
- Electronic medical records (EMR) are crucial for understanding pediatric disease epidemiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency distribution of pediatric diseases in a rural Philippine primary healthcare facility.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study reviewed EMRs of pediatric patients from April 2019 to March 2021.
- Data included patient demographics, chief complaints, and diagnoses.
- Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings.
Main Results:
- Over 14,000 pediatric consults were analyzed, with males constituting 52.1%.
- The 1-4 year age group had the highest number of consults.
- Upper respiratory tract infections (47.4%) were the most frequent diagnosis, followed by skin infections (5.3%).
- Cough, fever, and colds were the most common chief complaints.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory tract infections and skin infections are prevalent pediatric diseases in this rural setting.
- EMR data can inform public health programs and improve pediatric primary care delivery.
Background:
Primary care for pediatric patients focuses on providing comprehensive, accessible, and coordinated healthcare from the neonatal period to adolescence. The implementation and use of electronic medical records (EMR) in pediatric primary care facilities is an efficient strategy to gather necessary information on the epidemiology of common pediatric diseases in the Philippines.
Objectives:
This study aimed to determine the frequency distribution of pediatric diseases in a rural primary healthcare facility in the Philippines.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study reviewed the EMR of all pediatric patients who consulted in a primary care facility in Samal, Bataan from April 2019 to March 2021. Data gathered include sex, age in years, chief complaint, diagnosis, and month of consultation. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics.
Results:
A total of 14,462 pediatric consults were recorded from April 2019 to March 2021. There were slightly more male patients (52.1%). The mean age of the patients was 6.5 years (standard deviation 5.22). The highest number of consults came from the 1- to 4-year-old age group (41.5%). The most common chief complaints were cough (45.9%), fever (25.5%), and colds (24.9%). The most frequent diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infections (47.4%), followed by lower respiratory tract infections (6.9%), and skin and soft tissue infections (5.3%). Majority of the consults for respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, gastroenteritis, asthma, and dermatitis were in the 1- to 4-year-old age group. Urinary tract infections and otitis media or externa were recorded more frequently in the 5- to 9-year-old age group.
Conclusions:
Respiratory tract infections, followed by skin and soft tissue infections, were the most frequently identified diseases in children consulting a primary care facility at a rural site in the Philippines. The most common chief complaints, defined as the primary reason for seeking consult, were cough, fever, and colds. Data was gathered through EMR review, which may aid in the planning of programs and policies to improve primary care service delivery.
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