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  • Submited: September 21, 2020
  • Published: September 23, 2020

Abstract

Background: Child injuries are a growing public health problem yet it remains overlooked in resource-limited countries. We aim to assess the patterns, clinical presentation, and outcome of childhood injuries among children visiting the emergency department of AaBET Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using a trauma registry form.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric injuries at the AaBET Hospital Emergency department between December 2017 to May 2018. Data were collected prospectively with a trauma registry form which priory prepared and tested 6 months prior to this study. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software using analytic and descriptive parameters. Pediatric trauma score and disposition from the emergency room was taken as the assessment of severity. 

Results: In this study, 407 children aged less than or equal to 18 were included and 280(68.8%) were males. The majority of injuries were road traffic injuries 162(39.8%) followed by falls 105(25.5%). 78.6 % of the Road traffic injury occurred on pedestrians. Only 109(26.8%) of injured children arrived at AaBET Hospital via ambulance, only 25(6.1%) received emergency care before arrival. es occurred in pedestrians and on the street. Use of Ambulance service and pre-hospital care, timely presentations are low. Adequate and comprehensive public education and significant improvement in advanced trauma services with improved prehospital services is imperative.

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  1. Background: Child injuries are a growing public health problem yet it remains overlooked in resource-limited countries. We aim to assess the patterns, clinical presentation, and outcome of childhood injuries among children visiting the emergency department of AaBET Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using a trauma registry form.
  2. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric injuries at the AaBET Hospital Emergency department between December 2017 to May 2018. Data were collected prospectively with a trauma registry form which priory prepared and tested 6 months prior to this study. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software using analytic and descriptive parameters. Pediatric trauma score and disposition from the emergency room was taken as the assessment of severity.
  3. Results: In this study, 407 children aged less than or equal to 18 were included and 280(68.8%) were males. The majority of injuries were road traffic injuries 162(39.8%) followed by falls 105(25.5%). 78.6 % of the Road traffic injury occurred on pedestrians. Only 109(26.8%) of injured children arrived at AaBET Hospital via ambulance, only 25(6.1%) received emergency care before arrival. 136 (33.4%) arrived after 24 hours of the injury with a mean arrival time of 1.7 days post-injury. For 211 patients, pediatric severity trauma score PST was assessed. Lack of prehospital care contributes to the severity of injury with PST score [AOR= 8.2, 95% CI (1.0, 65.4)]. Age between 5 to 12 [AOR = 1.91, 95% CI (1.12-3.24)] and Head injury [AOR= 1.82, 95%CI (1.06, 3.12)] are more likely to be admitted than those who are not.
  4. Conclusion: Road traffic accidents are the most frequent injury and most injuries occurred in pedestrians and on the street. Use of Ambulance service and pre-hospital care, timely presentations are low. Adequate and comprehensive public education and significant improvement in advanced trauma services with improved prehospital services is imperative.
  5. Keywords: Injuries, Childhood, Ethiopia, Trauma registry
How to Cite
Heye, T. B., Getachew, T. ., Kejela, S. ., Deyessa, N. ., & Seveson, J. . (2020). The pattern of pediatric trauma in Aabet Hospital: Cross-sectional study using trauma registry. Ethiopian Medical Journal, 58. Retrieved from https://emjema.org/index.php/EMJ/article/view/1706

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