Epidemiological Profile of Deaths Recorded at the Emergency Department of the Souro Sanou University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of deaths in the Emergency Department of the Souro Sanou University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Methodology: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study with a descriptive aim, conducted over a six-month period from 1 January to 30 June 2024. The study took place in the emergency department of the Souro Sanou University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso and covered all patients admitted to and who died in the department. Results: We compiled 403 case records during the study period from a total of 3963 admitted patients, representing a prevalence of 10.17%. The mean age was 58.6 years ± 18.8 [15 - 95], with a sex ratio of 1.4. Altered level of consciousness was the most common reason for presentation, accounting for 28.8% of cases, followed by febrile coma and dyspnoea in 18.9% and 12.4% of cases, respectively. A medical history was present in 57.6% of cases, with hypertension in 54.8%, followed by diabetes and heart disease in 14.2% and 10.4% of cases respectively. The mean length of stay was 33 hours ± 44 hours [0 - 360], and the mean time of death was 11 hours ± 7 hours [0 - 23]. Conclusion: The mortality rate in the medical A & E department at CHUSS was 10.17%; altered level of consciousness was the main reason for admission, and hypertension was frequently found in the patient’s medical history.