Analysis of a National Trauma Registry in Cameroon: Implications for Prehospital Care Strengthening

JOURNAL TITLE: Panamerican Journal of Trauma, Critical Care & Emergency Surgery

Author
1. Melissa Carvalho
2. S. Ariane Christie
3. Fanny N Dissak Delon
4. Girish Motwani
5. Georges A E Mballa
6. Marquise K Ngamby
7. Arabo Saidou
8. Pierre Nsongoo
9. David Mekolo
10. Catherine Juillard
11. Obieze C Nwanna-Nzewunwa
12. Rochelle Dicker
ISSN
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10030-1216
Volume
7
Issue
2
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
10
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
    1. Clinical & Translational Science Institute University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
    1. Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, Center for Global Surgical Studies, San Francisco, California, USA
    1. Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, Center for Global Surgical Studies, San Francisco, California, USA
    1. Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, Center for Global Surgical Studies, San Francisco, California, USA
    1. Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, Center for Global Surgical Studies, San Francisco, California, USA
    1. Public Health, Ministry of Public health Cameroon, Littoral, Litorral, Cameroon
    1. Public Health, Ministry of Public health Cameroon, Littoral, Litorral, Cameroon
    1. Disease Control, Ministry of Public health Cameroon, Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon
    1. Catholic Hospital of Pouma, Pouma, Pouma, Cameroon
    1. Laquintine Hospital of Douala, Douala, Douala, Cameroon
    1. Laquintine Hospital of Douala, Douala, Douala, Cameroon
  • Article keywords
    Cameroon, Emergency medical services, Global surgery, Injury epidemiology, Low income countries, Prehospital care, Public health, Sub-Saharan Africa, Trauma registry

    Abstract

    Introduction: About 54% of all injury deaths in developing counties are attributable to lack of prehospital care. The study aims to ascertain the current state, determinants, and opportunities for strengthening prehospital care delivery in Cameroon Methods: From July 2015 to January 2017, Cameroon Trauma Registry was implemented simultaneously at Laquintinie Hospital of Doula, Limbe Regional Hospital, and Catholic Hospital Pouma. Data was subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. A multiple logistic regression models was built to predict getting prehospital care. Results: The 7879 patients were mostly male (72.6%), urban dwellers (94%), self-employed (39%) averaging 31.4 years (SD = 15.5). The commonest causes of injury were road traffic crashes (53%), blunt force (15%) and falls (15%). About 669 (9%) patients got prehospital care such as hemostasis (55.3%), fracture immobilization (24%), repositioning (10%), and giving fluid infusions (8%). Friends (35.8%), medical personnel (30.4%), or passersby (20.2%) provided prehospital care. Transport was via taxis (56%), motorcycles (18%), and private vehicles (16%). Predictors of getting prehospital care were injuries at school (perfect predictor), home (OR = 3.10, p < 0.0001), public places (OR = 3.79, p < 0.0001), or distance. 5 km from the hospital (OR = 4.06, p < 0.0001), and rural residence (OR = 4.43, p < 0.0001). Discussion: Prehospital care is typically provided by untrained laypersons in rural and distant areas, and schools. Formal lay provider training may improve prehospital care capacity and access and can drive health system growth. Conclusion: Formal prehospital trauma systems are limited in Cameroon. Prehospital care development can drive health system growth. Study findings and literature suggest that prehospital trauma care delivery can be improved by leveraging and training lay first-responders to provide prehospital care.

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