Magnitude of Severe Head Injury and Its Associated Factors among Head Injury Patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Two-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

BackgroundSevere head injury is a major public health threat that is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in all age groups of the world's populations including Ethiopia. In view of this, this study was assessed the severity of head injury and its contributing factors.MethodsA Two-year retrospective study was conducted at Dilla University Referral Hospital, from December 2014 to November 2016. All head injury patients admitted to the surgical ward were included. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with severity of head injury.ResultsA total of 106 eligible head injury patient charts were reviewed. The magnitude of severe head injury was 32.1%. Young populations, mainly males, were the highest risk groups, and road traffic accident was the main cause of severe head injury. In adjusted analysis, age interval greater than 45 years (aOR, 5.41; 95% CI:1.05–29.09), alcohol consumption before the trauma (aOR, 4.16, 95%CI: 1.18, 14.61), delayed presentation (beyond 24 hours) after injury (aOR, 4.717; 95% CI: 1.02–21.81), and respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute (aOR, 7.34; 95% CI: 1.88–28.73) were significantly associated with severe head injury.ConclusionsSevere head injury remains an important public health problem. Young adults were the highest risk groups of populations. Prevention of road traffic accidents, continuous awareness creation about the consequences of road traffic accident and close neurological monitoring offered by neuro-intensive care unit are recommended.

Patterns, Types, and Outcomes of Head Injury in Aseer Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Deaths are positively correlated with severe head injuries in all age groups. Head injury was mild in the majority of head injury victims, followed by severe and moderate based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score [ 13 ].…”

Assessment of magnitude and factors affecting outcomes of head injury at Addis Ababa burn emergency and trauma hospital, Ethiopia

“…This is similar to other studies in most of the literatures' mentioned. 7,8,[10][11][12][13] This difference is related to different factors like involvement the young population in risky recreational activities like alcohol consumption. Males also have high risk activities especially in trying to achieve economic stability.…”

“…Jimma and Dilla) and other countries, road traffic accident is major cause of head injury. 7,8,13 This tells that we need to work more in creating awareness and reinforcing implementation of driving rules and regulations. Private and public transportation were main means of delivering patients to hospital, which is similar to studies done in Africa but literatures from developed countries show ambulance is main transportation and this has changed the outcome of head injury patients significantly.…”

“…6 According to the same report, RTA is the commonest cause of fatal and serious injuries in Ethiopia and 75% of the victims are pedestrians but reports from southern nations and nationalities and peoples region shows there is changing trend in causation of accidents with an increasing pattern by motorcycle and tricycles. 7,8 Most of the accidents affected men (two third) and mortalities related to injury account 6% and 11.4% respectively in urban and rural part of Ethiopia. 9 In less resourced settings, the burden of head injury is magnified by the high prevalence of risk factors and by health systems which are often unable to effectively deliver the acute and long-term care the patients require.…”

Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury Among Trauma Patients in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A study conducted at Ayder Referral Hospital shows the prevalence of head injury from a review of records of road traffic accident was 48.7% (16). Another study conducted at Dilla University referral hospital shows the prevalence of head injury was 32.1%, and road traffic accident was the main cause of head injury (17). A study at Gondar University referral hospital also showed a prevalence of 40.5% for head injury; of these 46.7% occurred due to interpersonal fight (18).…”