The Influence of Health and Vital Statistics in the Control of Epidemic (A Case Study of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State)
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of health and vital statistics on the control of epidemics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State.
The specific objectives are to:
- Assess the availability and accuracy of health and vital statistics at UBTH.
- Evaluate the extent to which health and vital statistics are utilized in epidemic surveillance and control within the hospital.
- Identify the challenges faced by UBTH in collecting, managing, and applying health and vital statistics.
- Examine the relationship between data management practices and the effectiveness of epidemic response at UBTH.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
EPIDEMIC
An epidemic is generally defined as a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a given population, region, or season (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Epidemics often emerge from infectious diseases, although non-communicable conditions can also occur in epidemic proportions under certain circumstances. They pose serious threats to public health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries where data infrastructure and preparedness mechanisms are often weak.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), epidemics in Nigeria have historically included outbreaks of diseases such as Lassa fever, cholera, measles, yellow fever, cerebrospinal meningitis, and, more recently, COVID-19 (NCDC, 2022). These outbreaks have significantly stressed healthcare delivery, increased morbidity and mortality, and exposed gaps in public health surveillance systems.
Recent studies have emphasized that epidemics are no longer confined to single geographic locations due to globalization, urbanization, climate change, and increased human mobility. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic, although categorized globally as a pandemic, originated as an epidemic in Wuhan, China, before spreading globally (Aborode et al., 2021). This reinforces the need for countries to strengthen epidemic preparedness at local levels, especially through reliable health and vital statistics.
Epidemics typically follow a trajectory of introduction, propagation, and decline. The ability to detect and respond early during the introduction phase is crucial to minimizing the spread and impact. According to Nkereuwem et al. (2023), early identification of an outbreak depends heavily on timely and accurate health data, including mortality and morbidity records, which are often lacking or incomplete in many Nigerian health institutions.
Moreover, modern concepts of epidemics now include syndemics, where multiple diseases interact under conditions of social and environmental inequality (Singer et al., 2022). This understanding has expanded the role of health systems from merely controlling infections to managing the social determinants of health that predispose populations to outbreaks.
CHAPTER THREE
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 METHODOLOGY
This chapter outlines the research design, population, sample, data collection methods, and statistical tools used in this study to investigate the influence of health and vital statistics in the control of epidemics, with a specific focus on the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State.
Research Design
This study adopts a descriptive research design. A descriptive design is appropriate for this study because it seeks to describe the types of health and vital statistics available, their accuracy, timeliness, and utilization in epidemic control at UBTH. The descriptive approach allows for the collection of data through surveys and observations, providing detailed insights into the management of health statistics at the hospital.
Population of the Study
The population of the study consists of health workers and administrative staff at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) who are involved in the collection, management, and utilization of health and vital statistics. This includes doctors, nurses, data clerks, epidemiologists, public health officials, and hospital administrators. Additionally, a representative sample of patients whose health data have been recorded in UBTH’s health system will also be considered.
CHAPTER FOUR
 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
This chapter presents the analysis of the data collected in the study on the influence of health and vital statistics in the control of epidemics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State. The data were gathered through surveys and interviews with healthcare workers, hospital administrators, and key personnel involved in the collection and utilization of health and vital statistics. The data analysis was performed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to answer the research questions:
CHAPTER FIVE
 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter provides a summary of the findings from the study on the influence of health and vital statistics in the control of epidemics, with a specific focus on the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State. The chapter also presents conclusions drawn from the study and offers recommendations for improving the collection, management, and use of health and vital statistics in epidemic control efforts.
Summary of the Study
The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of health and vital statistics in the control of epidemics, specifically within the context of UBTH. The research focused on understanding the types of health and vital statistics available at UBTH, the accuracy and timeliness of data collection and management, and the challenges faced by the hospital in utilizing these statistics for effective epidemic surveillance and control. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. A total of 150 respondents participated in the study, including doctors, nurses, data clerks, epidemiologists, and administrators.
Conclusions
The study concluded that health and vital statistics are critical to the control of epidemics at UBTH. The availability of essential data such as disease prevalence, mortality rates, and immunization coverage is essential for effective epidemic surveillance. However, despite the availability of this data, the accuracy and timeliness of the statistics were not always optimal, indicating that there are areas for improvement in data collection and management processes.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made to enhance the role of health and vital statistics in epidemic control at UBTH:
UBTH should invest in modern data management systems that can handle the volume and complexity of health and vital statistics. The implementation of electronic health records (EHR) and other digital systems would improve the accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of data, enabling faster and more efficient epidemic response.
Regular training should be provided to hospital staff, particularly those involved in data collection and management. Training on data accuracy, the importance of timely reporting, and the use of digital tools would improve the overall quality of the data collected.
UBTH should develop a robust epidemic surveillance and reporting system to enhance the tracking of disease outbreaks. This system should be integrated with national health data systems to allow for real-time reporting and early warning of potential epidemics.
REFERENCES
- Adeleke, T. A., & Omoregie, S. A. (2022). Challenges of Health Information Management in Nigerian Teaching Hospitals: A Case of South-South Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Health Information, 14(1), 34–42.
-  Eze, C. U., Ogbonna, A. N., & Uche, N. C. (2023). Strengthening Disease Surveillance Systems for Epidemic Control in Nigeria. African Journal of Public Health, 17(2), 102–110.
-   Ibrahim, Y. M., & Musa, A. M. (2023). Health Statistics and Epidemic Response: An Assessment of COVID-19 Lessons in Nigeria. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 77(1), 24–30.
- Â Â National Population Commission (NPC). (2022). Vital Statistics Annual Report 2022. Abuja: Federal Government of Nigeria.
- Â Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). (2021). Annual Epidemiological Report on Communicable Diseases. Retrieved from https://ncdc.gov.ng
- Okonkwo, P. I., Nwosu, E. J., & Akpan, E. U. (2024). Digital Transformation and Health Data Management in Nigerian Tertiary Hospitals. Health Systems Review, 19(1), 75–88.
- Â World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Health Data and Epidemic Intelligence: A Global Perspective. Geneva: WHO Press.
