Challenges in the Management of Hydrocephalic Children in Northern Mozambique

World Neurosurg. 2015 Sep;84(3):671-6. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2015.03.064. Epub 2015 Apr 13.

Abstract

Background: Hydrocephalus in sub-Saharan Africa, including Mozambique, is still a significant health care problem.

Methods: Retrospective data from a previous study were used to determine patient provenance, referral patterns, and lost to follow-up rates.

Results: Many children with hydrocephalus in this region are not taken to health care facilities for treatment. Reasons include poverty, difficult access, lack of transportation, and erroneous cultural interpretations. Resource limitations in terms of poorly equipped health care facilities and a lack of trained health professionals also contribute.

Conclusions: Efforts to improve prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are of utmost importance in Mozambique.

Keywords: Hydrocephalus; Infant; Management; Mozambique.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / epidemiology
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery
  • Hydrocephalus / therapy*
  • Lost to Follow-Up
  • Mozambique / epidemiology
  • Neurosurgery / economics
  • Neurosurgery / statistics & numerical data
  • Poverty
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Workforce