Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Injury statistics in Ethiopia provides little knowledge about its magnitude and related
information needed for prevention. This study, therefore, aims to determine the magnitude and pattern of
injury in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH).
METHODS: A retrospective review of records of all injured patients seen at surgical outpatient
department from April 09, 2010 to January 07, 2011; was conducted in January 2011. Data were
collected using a structured checklist that was developed by adapting the World Health Organization
instrument. Five degree holder nurses collected the data while investigators closely supervised. Socio
demographic characteristics of the patients and injury related information were collected. Data were
analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0.
RESULTS: Of 13500 patients who visited surgical outpatient department of JUSH during the study
period, 1102(8.2%) were injury cases. The commonest mechanism of injury was blunt assault,
341(30.9%), followed by road traffic accident, 334(30.3). Fracture was the leading outcome of injury,
454(41.2%), followed by bruise or skin laceration, 404(36.7%). Significantly more males had cut,
(AOR=2.0; 95% CI=1.2, 3.3) and stab, (AOR=3.0; 95% CI=1.6, 5.7), injuries compared to females.
Conversely, significantly fewer males had burn, (AOR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2, 0.8) and road traffic accident,
(AOR=0.7, 95% CI=0.5, 0.9), than females. Most, 715(95.8%), patients were presented to the hospital
within one week. The commonest functional limitations were; difficulty to use hands, 312(28.3%) and
difficulty to use legs, 217(19.7%). Eighty three, (7.5%) of the patients died and road traffic accident alone
accounted for almost half, 179 (49.7%), of the severe injuries.
CONCLUSION: The magnitude of injury in the hospital was considerably high. Age and sex were
predictors of injury. Appropriate prevention strategies should be designed and implemented against
assault, road traffic accident and cut by sharp tool
