PATTERN OF INJURY, OUTCOME AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS VISITING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN SIDAMA REGIONAL GENERAL HOSPITALS, ETHIOPIA; 2023.

Abstract

Background: Injury has a significant impact on societal health and well-being, taking the lives of more than 15,000 people daily and more than 4.4 million people annually. Low- and middle income countries have a disproportionately high injury burden, account for almost 90% of injury-related fatalities. Despite government health agencies and hospitals should have a detailed picture of injuries, little is known about injury statistics and outcomes in this region and across the country. Objectives: To assess pattern of injury, outcome, and associated factors of injury outcome Among patients visited selected general hospitals in Sidama regional state, Ethiopia, 2023. Methodology: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Sidama Regional General Hospitals from March 10 to June 10, 2023, after three general hospitals were selected by the lottery method out of five general hospitals. The sample size was calculated by using the single population formula, and it became 342. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire adopted from WHO trauma surveillance, and ethical clearance was obtained from Hawassa University's ethical review board. Data was entered into EpiData version 4.1 and analyzed through SPSS version 27. Result: A total of 342 injured patients participated in this study, and unintentional injuries accounted for 225 (65.2%) of the total injuries, and the age group 24-44 years was the most commonly affected, with 137 (40.1%). 35.6% of injury cases were due to road traffic injuries, and 27.19% of the cases were due to interpersonal violence. Out of the total participants, 96.2% were discharged alive, and 3.8% died. The glaucoma scale, severity of injury , time between injury and care, head injury, triage scale, and operated on have associations with mortality. Conclusion and recommendation: Male patients and those aged 25–44 had a higher proportion of injury victims. The primary cause of injury was RTA, followed by interpersonal violence and fall injuries. The glaucoma scale, severity of injury, triage scale, head injury, and those patients who operated were more associated with mortality. More efforts are needed to raise awareness of RTA, improve road safety, and impose severe regulations on pedestrians and drivers.