Childhood appendicitis: factors associated with its incidence and perforation in Ethiopian children

Acute appendicitis is a common paediatric emergency necessitating surgical intervention. Factors contributing to the incidence of the disease and appendiceal perforation in all children with acute appendicitis admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia from Jan 1983 to December 1987 were studied. There were a total of 278 cases of appendicitis, with matched controls, seen. The incidence of perforation was 67%. Statistically significant differences between cases and controls were seen for the educational status of the parents (p less than .001), the parental income (p less than .001) and the nutritional status of the patient (p less than .001). The risk of perforation increased with increased duration of the illness. Perforation was common in children with normal height and better parental education. The incidence of appendicitis appears to be related to improved socioeconomic status. Prospective studies to examine this and other associations are warranted.