Assessment of the Prevalence of Trauma Cases Visited At Emergency OPD in Dilla University Referal Hospital from April 20, 2008–May 20, 2008 E.C

Background: Injuries and violence pose a major public health and developmental problem globally. Each year over 5 million people around the world die as a result of injury. Injuries are ranked among the leading cause of death and disability particularly in low income and middle income countries where they are growing insignificance, largely as a consequences of epidemiologic, demographic and socioeconomic transitions. Moreover, it is in these very setting that the vital statistics and routine health information are often seriously lacking. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of trauma cases visited at emergency OPD of DURTH and to describe the magnitude and pattern of injury. Methods: Health institutional based cross sectional study was conducted at emergency OPD from APRIL 20, 2008-MAY 20, 2008 E.C and the data was collected using questionnaires by using convenience sampling technique. All injury cases come to EOPD was studied. A questioner was used to collect the data and the data entered to computer and was analysed by using SPSS version 20. Ethical clearance was obtained from Rift valley University Hawassa campus before the study conducted and the hospital management. Result: 128 patients were visited EOPD of DURH during the study period. The commonest mechanism of injury was RTA, 42(32.8%), followed by falling related injury and cut by sharp instruments, 22(17.2%), 20(15.6%) respectively. More males had RTA, cut and falling related injuries compared to females. The commonest outcomes which resulted in severe injuries were RTA, stab and falling related injuries. Conclusion: The magnitude of injury in the hospital was considerably high. Appropriate prevention strategies should be designed and implemented against RTA, falling related injury and cut by sharp instruments.