Authors: Nyagwaswa Athanas Michael , Dr Dickson Ally Mkoka , Dr Anne Outwater

Abstract

Background

Injury remains among of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with predominance in low-income and middle-income countries. It has been, an increasingly significant public health issue worldwide, with road traffic injuries in the rise, accounting for 16% of the global burden of disease. Despite of the observed increase in number of road traffic injuries, provision of initial care to patients sustaining such injuries is one of the big challenges.

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe the initial care given to road traffic injury patients, who were admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania from January to February, 2016.

Methodology

The study employed a cross-sectional study design to obtain information on the post-crash trauma experiences among road traffic injury patients admitted at trauma units of the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam-Tanzania from January to February, 2016. The consecutive convenient sample of 132 road traffic injury patients was used to gather data on the initial care given before arriving at the health facility. The written structured questionnaire with closed ended questions was used to collect data from these participants. The obtained data was then entered in statistical program (SPSS version 20.0) for analysis.

Results

A total of 132 road traffic injury patients were involved in this study. Males were commonly involved in crash (77%) than women (23%) with a male to female of 3:1 and the peak age of 20-29 years. Participants who got accidents during the day were more likely to arrive at the health facility within one hour (88%) as compared to those who got accidents during the night (29%), p<0.05. The common responders reported were the bystanders (70%). The types of initial care given to injured patients were extrication (55%), psychological support (29%), breathing support (7%), bleeding control (2%) and fluid rehydration (1%). Most of participants reported to have been transported to the health facility by private cars (38%) while 2% used ambulance.

Conclusion

Road traffic injury has been common in Tanzania affecting young men in their productive and reproductive ages. Despite of the government efforts to establish a well-functioning Emergence Medical Department at Muhimbili National Hospital, the Pre-hospital care system has not been established at all. When people get accidents, their lives remain in the hands of untrained first responders.

Keywords: Pre-hospital care; road traffic injury; Tanzania; cross-sectional study