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Table 1 Summary of trauma registry studies in Sub-Saharan Africa

From: Epidemiology of adult trauma injuries in Malawi: results from a multisite trauma registry

Trauma indicators

Summary of existing evidence on trauma in Sub-Saharan Africa

Chichom-Mefire et al. (2017)

Botchey et al. (2017)

Kobusingye et al. (2002)

Nicol et al. (2014)

Samuel et al. (2009)

Chokotho et al. (2019)

Sawe et al. (2020)

Country

Cameroon

Kenya

Uganda

South Africa

Malawi

Malawi

Tanzania

Timeline

January 2008–October 2013

January 2014–May 2015

January 1998–December 1998

October 2010–September 2011

February 2008–June 2008

May 2013–May 2015

February 2019–September 2020

Number of trauma cases

5617

14,237

4359

9236

1474

3747

6302

Number of facilities

1

4

5

1

1

1

5

Causes of trauma

RTC

55.1%

36.80%

50%

18.80%

43.40%

31.60%

60.3%

Falls

4%

26.40%

13%

18.40%

13.50%

10.00%

18.50%

Assault

21.8%

NA

NA

20.90%

24%

38.2%

5.40%

Stab/Cut

NA

8.20%

16%

NA

NA

NA

3.00%

Blunt force trauma

NA

NA

NA

17%

NA

NA

NA

Serious trauma

Share of mild trauma

94%

NA

97%

NA

NA

NA

83%

Intent

Share of intentional injuries

NA

NA

13%

32.10%

NA

33.40%

8.90%

Share of fractures

NA

NA

NA

NA

14.30%

13.00%

24.90%

Share of cases admitted

6.40%

24%*

33.00%

NA

26.80%

14.30%

44%*

Share of deaths

0.40%

2.40%

0.60%

NA

3.50%

0.10%

2.10%

Share of males

67%

76.10%

72.30%

71.30%

75.70%

79.10%

71.30%

Mean or Median age

26.8+

28+

24.2+

25–44^

 < 5 and 26–30#

32+

27~

  1. *Every trauma case where patient was admitted to ward, ICU or operation is included
  2.  + Mean of age is reported
  3. ^Mode of age is reported
  4. #Age distribution reported is bimodal
  5.  ~ Median of age is reported