Assessment of Patterns and Outcome of Injury among Victims Visiting Emergency Unit of Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital, Hossana, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Every day the lives of more than 14,000 people are cut short as a result of an
injury globally. The burden of injury is especially high in LMICs, where over 90% of injury
deaths occur. Although the hospitals should have a clear image of injury, little is known about
injury statistics. This study was specifically designed to determine the patterns and outcome of
commonly occurring injuries based on available health facility records in NEMMH, Hossana,
Southern Ethiopia.
Methodology: A hospital based retrospective review of records of injury victims in NEMMH
from January to December 2019 was evaluated from October to June 2020. Data were collected
using a structured checklist that was developed by adapting the World Health Organization
instrument. Five degree holder nurses collected the data while investigator closely supervised.
Socio demographic characteristics of the patients and injury related information were collected.
Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 25.
Results: Out of 6238 patients visited emergency unit of Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial
Hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019; 762 (12.2%) were victims of injury.
Unintentional injury is the most prevalent category of injury (69.4%), of which RTA is the
commonest (41% of all unintentional injury) mechanism of injury which in turn affected mostly
pedestrians (41.5% of all RTA victims) followed by drivers. Interpersonal violence is the most
commonly occurring intentional injury (52.3%) followed by suicidal attempt. Victims who are
unintentionally injured those who sustained RTA injury, those who were injured on street, those
who encountered chest injury and those who were severely injured were found to be at a higher
risk of death as compared to the remaining victims.
Conclusion: The magnitude of injury in NEMMH is high. Injury is more prevalent among males
and productive age group. Most victims faced their injuries unintentionally, of which RTA is
most prevalent; whereas, interpersonal violence is the most prevalent intentional injury. The
mortality rate due to injury is also high. Appropriate prevention strategies should be designed
and implemented against RTA, and prompt treatment should be commenced to combat bad
outcomes.
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Keywords
Injury, Degree of injury, Pattern, Outcome, NEMMH, Ethiopia