Trend analysis of diseases reported at outpatient departments: A case study of the Greater Accra region

Abstract

This study is about diseases reported at the outpatient departments (OPO) in the Greater Accra Region. The objectives of this study was to find the trend of the various diseases reported at the Outpatient Departments, forecast 2007 reported diseases and finally, to identify the most reported disease(s) within the period. Data was obtained from the Adabraka Polyclinic which is the coordinating center for the region's health statistics. The data covered the period 1996 to 2006. Trend analysis was the main statistical technique used in the study. It was found that malaria constituted half of all cases reported at OPD each year. Malaria, upper respiratory tract infection and skin disease formed an overwhelming majority (about 52.4%) of diseases reported at the OPD each year. It was also found that all top ten diseases exhibited upward trends. Trend analysis of these diseases yielded various forecasted values for 2007.