Pattern and Outcomes of Injuries among Trauma Patients in Gedeo Zone, Dilla, South Ethiopia: A 5 Years Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND: Injury has become a life threatening community health problem associated with significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of injury in Dilla University Hospital. METHODS: Institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to June 2019. Data was collected using questionnaire adapted from WHO injury surveillance guideline. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to determine the factors associated with hospital mortality. RESULTS: Road traffic accident was the commonest cause of injury 178(47.3%) followed by interpersonal violence 113(30.1%). Revised trauma score (RTS) < 10 (AOR=2.5; 95% CI, 1.8-25.6), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) (AOR =0.3; 95% CI, 0.13-0.5), length of hospitalization (LOS) 1-7 days (AOR=0.1; 95% CI, 0.01-0.8) and time of arrival >24hr were predictors of mortality in a patient with injury. CONCLUSION: Lower extremity injury was common and mostly associated with RTA. Pre-hospital emergency medical service system and trauma registry need to be established to decrease the burden of injury.