title: Audit of availability and distribution of paediatric cardiology services and facilities in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria have been perceived to be inadequate but no formal documentation of availability and distribution of facilities and services has been done.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and document the currently available paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this questionnaire-based, cross-sectional descriptive study, an audit was undertaken from January 2010 to December 2014, of the personnel and infrastructure, with their distributions according to geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight centres participated in the study, with 33 paediatric cardiologists and 31 cardiac surgeons. Echocardiography, electrocardiography and pulse oximetry were available in 45 (93.8%) centres while paediatric intensive care units were in 23 (47.9%). Open-heart surgery was performed in six (12.5%) centres. South-West zone had the majority of centres (20; 41.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Available paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria are grossly inadequate and poorly distributed. Efforts should be intensified to upgrade existing facilities, establish new and functional centres, and train personnel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ekanem N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Ekure
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Email: sadohehi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Wilson E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Sadoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Fidelia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bode-Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Orogade
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeola B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Animasahun
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwatoyin O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Ogunkunle
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Iretiola
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Babaniyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Maxwell U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Anah
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Otaigbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adebiyi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olowu
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Okpokowuruk
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Samuel I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Omokhodion
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Federal Staff Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ogechi C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Maduka
authors.affiliation: Surgery Unit, Bikets Medical Centre, Osogbo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Uvie U
authors.initials: UU
authors.lastname: Onakpoya
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Daberechi K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Adiele
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hosptial, Sokoto, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Usman M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Sani
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asani
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yilgwan
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics Unit, Zankli Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Queennette
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centres, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chinyere C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Uzodimma
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chika O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Duru
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mohammad B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Abdulkadir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joseph K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Afolabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Okeniyi
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D054869:Clinical Audit; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires