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Citation
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Getachew S, Ali E, Tayler-Smith K, Hedt-Gauthier B, Silkondez W, Abebe D, Deressa W, Enquessilase F, Edwards JK. Public Health Action 2016; 6(2): 66-71. |
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Abstract
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Setting: The emergency department (ED) of Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE: To document the proportion, trend, characteristics and outcomes of road traffic injury (RTI) related ED admissions (15 years) between 2014 and 2015.
DESIGN: A retrospective, cross-sectional study using routinely collected ED data.
RESULTS: Of 10 007 ED admissions, 779 (8%) were RTI cases; this proportion peaked in the month of January (11%). Medical records were available for 522 (67%) of these RTI cases. The median age was 28 years and 69% were males. The majority were pedestrians (69%) injured by an automobile (78%). On triage, 32% were classified as needing urgent/immediate intervention. Head injuries (20%) were the second most common injury after lower limb injuries (36%). ED outcomes were as follows: discharged (68%), hospitalised (17%), referred (17%) and died (1%). Among the 78 hospitalised cases, respectively 62% and 16% were admitted to the surgical and orthopaedic departments. Of 146 RTI cases with head injuries, 25% were hospitalised, of whom 82% were admitted to the surgical department.
CONCLUSION: Our findings can guide policy makers in referral hospitals in improving the planning of hospital resources and the prioritisation of public health needs linked to further urban development. A comprehensive plan to prevent RTIs, particularly among pedestrians in Addis Ababa, is urgently needed.
Language: en |