A silent epidemic: Exploring the clinico-epidemiological impact of explosion and gunshot injuries in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Somalia

Background

Mass casualty incidents, such as explosions and gunshot wounds (GSWs), pose significant public health challenges. This study analyzes the clinico-epidemiological profile and outcomes of patients with explosive injuries and GSWs in Somalia.

Method

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 225 patients admitted to the Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital in Somalia between January and December 2021. Data collected included injury type, anatomical distribution, demographics, hospital admissions, and outcomes.

Results

Of the 225 explosion and GSW injuries, explosive injuries accounted for 58 %, while GSWs made up 42 %. The majority of patients were male (85.3 %), with 89.5 % in the GSW group and 82.3 % in the explosion group. More than half(58.7 %) of the patients were aged 18 to 30 years, with 59.2 % in the explosion group and 57.9 % in the GSW group. Anatomical analysis revealed that head injuries were most common(21 %), particularly in explosion cases, as well as higher rates of head (26.2 %), maxillofacial(7.7 %), and lower-limb injuries (12.3 %) compared to GSW patients. Some 21.7 % of patients were discharged from ED, 19 % admitted to ICU and an inpatient death rate of 12.9 %, including three patients (1.3 %) who died in the Emergency Department, all from the explosion injury group.

Conclusion

The rising incidence of traumatic injuries necessitates a multifaceted approach, including enhanced emergency response systems and public health initiatives. This data serves as a call to action for healthcare providers and policymakers to prioritize the management and prevention of explosion and gunshot-related injuries in Somalia.