52^nd - 53^rd Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (PANCONF), 18^th - 22^nd January, 2022

Abstract

Electrocardiography is usually used to assess the electrical activity of the heart, it has been found to be very useful in many aspects of medicine apart from cardiology. The access to this noninvasive investigation is still not encouraging despite its usefulness in Paediatrics practice.

Objectives: To determine the indications of ECG and its mode of health financing in children in Abakaliki.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of ECG indications in children over a 5-year period in a tertiary center in (AEFUTHA) Abakaliki, Records of ECG done over the period, clinical indications, age, sex, and mode of payment were recorded in proforma. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.

Results: A total of 179 ECG requests were made over the five-year period, there were 102 males (59.8%) and 72 females (40.2%). The commonest indication for ECG request was cardiovascular related diagnosis 125(69.8%) and the adolescent age groups comprised 73.1% of the subjects while subjects less than 4yrs comprised 14%. The major source of health financing of ECG was out of pocket expenditure 70.4%. The year 2019 had the highest record of ECG 30.2% while 2017 the lowest 17.3%.

Conclusion: ECG request rate is low in Abakakili, though the commonest indication is still due to cardiovascular diseases, efforts should be made to scale up the access to the investigation through cost reduction and health insurance.