A 5‐Year Retrospective Morbidity Profile of School‐Aged Children at Ho Polyclinic, Volta Region, Ghana: Skin Conditions, Malaria, and Respiratory Illnesses as Leading Causes (2018–2022)
Anthoinette Adesope Ekuban, Frank BaidenABSTRACT
Background
The disease burden among school‐aged children (5–17 years) in low‐ and middle‐income countries remains poorly characterized, with health policies predominantly focused on children under five. This study described the morbidity profile and examined associated demographic factors among school‐aged children attending a primary care facility in Ghana.
Methods
A retrospective review of outpatient records was conducted at Ho Polyclinic in the Volta Region. Data from all consultations for children aged 5–17 years between January 2018 and December 2022 were extracted. The facility has a historical specialization in dermatological care because it was formally a leprosarium. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics and morbidity frequencies. Chi‐square tests assessed associations between age group, sex, and the three leading diagnostic categories.
Results
Among 10,428 consultations (mean age 10.3 ± 4.0 years; 54.4% female), skin conditions (38.3%), malaria (23.0%), and respiratory conditions (16.1%) constituted 77.4% of all diagnoses. This pattern remained consistent across the 5‐year study period. No statistically significant associations were found between age group or sex and diagnosis of skin conditions (age p = 0.598; sex p = 0.611), malaria (age p = 0.176; sex p = 0.452), or respiratory conditions (age p = 0.839; sex p = 0.555).
Conclusion
A consistent triad of infectious and environmental conditions dominates the morbidity profile of school‐aged children in this setting. The uniformity of this burden across demographic subgroups underscores the need for integrated, school‐based health interventions targeting skin health, malaria prevention, and respiratory hygiene to address this neglected demographic.