Factors Associated with Mortality Among Patients with Meningitis in Babylon Province over eight Years

Background: Meningitis is a serious inflammatory condition that can result in severe morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Objectives: The study aimed to study the factors predicting mortality of meningitis during the last 8 years in Babylon Province, Iraq. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart-review study was carried out between July and September 2023. The included data covered the period from 2015 to 2022 in the Babylon Province, Iraq. The data were collected from medical records, hospital databases, and health department records, which included information on variables such as age, gender, place of residence, causative agents, and health outcomes. Results: A total 1313 patients with meningitis were included. Children under one year of age were the most susceptible age group for infection, representing 55.9% of the patients. The infected patients were likely to be males (59.6%) and living in urban areas (62.0%). The yearly prevalence was variable, with a peak in 2021-2022 and a bottom in 2020. Out of 1313 infected patients, 345 (26.3%) died. The factors associated with higher risk of mortality included children under five-year (28.8% versus 13.6%, p<0.001), male gender (41.8% versus 3.4%, p<0.001), rural residents (48.7% versus 12.5%, p<0.001), and bacterial meningitis (38.7% versus 11.4%, p<0.001). Conclusions: The study underscores the high risk of mortality among patients of meningitis and identify specific risk factors for meningitis-associated crude mortality. The findings underscore the vulnerable groups for targeted interventions and public health strategies to reduce meningitis-associated mortality.