Epidemiological Study of Meningitis Cases Admitted to AL-Razi Hospital in Diyala Governorate for the Period 2000 – 2004

Abstract

Background: Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (pia and arachnoids membranes) which covers the brain, it may be either a cute or chronic, purulent or a septic (sterile).  Meningitis  may be caused by  infection  with  viruses , bacteria or other microorganism

Patients & method: A review of case  records of patients with meningitis admitted to Al_razi hospital in Diyala governorate  for the period the 1^st of  january 2000 to the 31^th of December 2004 inclusive .Data were collected from the case records according to especial designed questionnaire . Analysis of the collected data  was done and the results of this descriptive  study presented by numbers  and  percentages.

Results: Meningitis was the first cause of admittion (56.6%),meningitis more in males  with M:F ratio 1.5:1,more than 85%cases  occurred in those  below 19 years age ,most cases were rural residents(53.8%),more than 50% of cases reported in spring and autumn, meningitis reported  mostly in students 72%,viral  meningitis form 54.5%,case fatality rate was 6.3%.

Conclusion: Meningitis is the first cammon cause of admission and there  must be a  good efferts to decrease morbidity and mortality of this disease