The accuracy of the clinical histories given by mothers of seriously ill African children.

Journal article

The mothers of 87 Gambian children with a potentially fatal illness were interviewed at the time that their children were admitted to hospital and attempts were made to establish a diagnosis using the mothers' history alone. In 66 cases (76%) initial diagnoses corresponded to the diagnoses established finally by clinical and laboratory investigations. Diagnoses established at second interviews held with 51 mothers 1 month after their children had left hospital were accurate in 88% of cases. Gambian mothers can describe accurately a serious illness in their children and they can, therefore, be relied upon to give accurate information about an illness from which a child has died.

Authors: Alonso, P; Bowman, A; Marsh, K; Greenwood, B

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Annals of tropical paediatrics
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 187-189
• Publication date: 1987-09-01
• EISSN: 1465-3281
• ISSN: 0272-4936
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; Mothers; Gambia; Adult; Female; Child; Medical History Taking; Interviews as Topic; Cause of Death