Length of hospital stay in typhoid fever patients: A retrospective study from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, contributing to prolonged hospitalizations and straining healthcare systems. This retrospective study at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) from 2019 to 2023 investigated the factors influencing the length of hospital stay among 215 typhoid fever patients. Using a chi-square test of independence, the study analyzed associations between hospitalization duration (categorized as Normal: 1–7 days, Mild: 8–14 days, Severe: ≥15 days) and patient characteristics, including age, gender, and type of typhoid infection (S. Typhi vs. P. Typhi). Results revealed a significant association between hospitalization duration and age (χ² = 16.350, p = 0.037), with younger patients (1–36 years) predominantly experiencing shorter stays and older patients (55+ years) showing prolonged hospitalizations. Similarly, the type of typhoid infection was significantly associated with hospital stay length (χ² = 7.097, p = 0.029), with S. Typhi infections linked to longer stays compared to P. Typhi. Gender showed no significant association with hospitalization duration (χ² = 0.389, p = 0.823). These findings underscore the influence of age and pathogen type on clinical outcomes, highlighting the need for tailored interventions, such as early screening for complications in older patients and optimized antibiotic strategies for S. Typhi infections, to reduce hospitalization duration and improve resource allocation in resource-constrained settings.