ASSESSMENT OF PATTERNS OF TRAUMA CASES VISITED IN HEALTH INSTITUTIONS EMERGENCY OPD IN AGENA TOWN, EZHA WOREDA, GURAGE ZONE, CENTERAL ETHIOPIA, 2024/25 G.C.

Abstract

Back ground Injuries and violence poses a major public health and developmental problem globally. Injuries are ranked among the leading cause of death and disability particularly in low income and middle income countries including our country, where they are growing insignificantly. Trauma is the most serious problem and increasing in an alarming rate from year to year, in developing countries including our country, Ethiopia. Moreover, in these, routine trauma information are seriously lacking. This study aimed to reveal the study area’s burden of different injuries and hoped to inform responsible body to adjust the emergency care to trauma victims so as to reduce immediate and long stand impact of the problem in Ethiopia. Objective This aim of this study was to assess Patterns of Trauma cases visited in health institutionemergency OPD in Agena Town, Ezha Woreda, Gurage Zone from December 23, 2024- January 6, 2025 G.C. Methods Health institutional based cross sectional study was conducted at emergency OPD from December 23/2024- January 6/2025 G.C and the data was collected using structured questionnaires by using Convenience Sampling technique due to small study unit to incorporate all eligible cases and face to face interview was used. 114 trauma cases, who consecutively came to EOPD during study period was assessed. All data which was collected was checked, edited, tail on master sheet, coded and entered into statistical software SPSS version 25 and result was presented by using tables and graphs. Result 114 patients were visited in health institution EOPD during the study period and data was collected from 111 patients. The commonest mechanism of injury was RTA, 39 (35.1%), followed by falling related injury and cut by sharp instruments, 28 (25.2%), 22 (19.8%) respectively. More males had more injuries (57.7%) when compared to female (42.3%). The study revealed that more trauma cases occurred in urban areas. More Traumas occurred unintentionally. Conclusion Injury has been recognized as one of the most life threatening public health problems worldwide. Injury is a public health problem that result in morbidity, disability and mortality. When compared with females males had higher proportion of trauma victims and those aged 15–49 years had more trauma. RTA followed by falling related injury and cut by sharp instruments was the leading cause of trauma. Trauma occurs in urban area than rural areas. Appropriate prevention strategies should be designed and implemented against trauma to prevent its impacts.