Abstract:
Delirium is defined as mental disorder of acute onset and fluctuating course characterized by disturbances in consciousness, orientation, memory, thought, perception, and behavior and its incidence is nearly 50% in ICU in those non intubated patients whereas in intubated patients it rises approximately to 80% according to different studies. Furthermore, ICU delirium is associated with negative outcomes such increases length of ICU stay, prolonged mechanical ventilation, a high rate of admission after discharge and over all increased patient mortality according to varieties of studies.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the magnitude of delirium and associated factors in intensive care units of selected governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.