RNMeta-AnalysisNursing open2025

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With ICU Mortality in Ethiopia: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Diriba Teshome, Efrem Fenta, Basazinew Chekol

PMID 40970397

WHAT IT FOUND

Adult ICU mortality in Ethiopia was 41.3%.

Nurses should monitor for high-risk signs: low consciousness scores, mechanical ventilation, coexisting diseases, and extreme lengths of stay (under 4 days or over 2 weeks).

Key findings

01The pooled prevalence of adult ICU mortality in Ethiopia was 41.3%.

02Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 9 had 4.47 times higher odds of dying.

03Mechanically ventilated patients had 4.55 times higher odds of dying compared to those not ventilated.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs

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What it does not show

The studies included showed extreme heterogeneity (I^2 = 100%), meaning the results varied widely from one study to another, which makes the pooled average less precise. The analysis combined cross-sectional and cohort studies, which have different strengths in determining cause and effect. The data is specific to Ethiopia, so it may not apply to ICUs in other countries with different resources or patient populations.

Declared interests

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by Debre Tabor University.

The easy way to misread this

Do not assume that treating complications or correcting hypoxia will lower mortality based on this paper. The meta-analysis found that these factors were not significantly associated with death in the pooled data, while consciousness level and ventilation status were.

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