Magnitude And Associated Factor Of Head Injury Among Trauma Patients Visiting Ambo University Referral Hospital, Oromia Region, Ethiopia 2023

Abstract

Background: Traumatic head injury is a common and leading cause of emergency department visits worldwide. The burden is particularly significant in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, where it remains a major contributor to mortality and long-term disability. Objective: This study aims to assess the magnitude and associated factors of head injury among trauma patients visiting Ambo University Referral Hospital, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023 Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among head-injured patients presented to Ambo University Referral Hospital EOPD from January 15, 2023, to March 15, 2023. Using a systematic random sampling technique out of 266, the total sample size responded was 260. Data were entered using Epi-Data 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to summarize descriptive data. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was computed and variables with p-value < 0.25 were considered candidates for multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify the association. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value <0.05. The fitness of the final model was tested by Hosmer Lemeshow’s goodness of fit test and the model is a good fit to the data (p=0.64). Multicollinearity among independently associated variables was checked by the multicollinearity diagnostic test, VIF. However, there were no identified variables with multicollinearity problems. Results: Out of the 266 participants initially expected to participate, a total of 260 patients were included, yielding a response rate of 97.7%. The magnitude of head injury was 51.5% (95% CI (45.3, 57.8). The study revealed that being male [AOR= 2.75, 95% CI (1.56 – 4.83)], drinking alcohol before the injury [AOR=4.33; 95% CI (1.11–16.8)] and injury due to rood traffic accidents [AOR=2.24; 95% CI (1.06–4.75)] were factors associated with traumatic head injury. Conclusions: The prevalence of head injury was relatively high. Road traffic accident, alcohol consumption, and being male were found to be significantly associated traumatic head injury Therefore, appropriate prevention strategies should be devised and implemented against the contributing factors to minimize the risk of head injury