Preparedness for emergency injuries in health facilities located along Mbarara-Kasese Road Southwestern Uganda
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Date
2014-12
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Kampala International University; School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: Preparedness is ability of a health facility to expand operations and safely treat large influx of patients that could put significant strain on its operating systems. Sudden influx of patient can cause confusion and anxiety, and create inefficiency that may lead to disaster. Inadequate preparedness is a serious public health challenge. There is need for periodic assessment of health facilities' preparedness to treat mass casualties as mitigation for impact of traffic injuries. This study considered preparedness in terms of organization, staffing, equipment and supplies. The objectives of the study were to: determine prevalence of road traffic injuries; assess the level of organization of emergency services; assess self-reported knowledge of health workers involved in managing road traffic accidents cases and to assess availability of resuscitation equipment’s for managing traffic accidents in health facilities located along Mbarara-Kasese road.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional and retrospective study was conducted. 173 Doctors, Nurses and Clinicians were enrolled for the study in six purposively selected health facilities located within 5km proximity along Mbarara-Kasese road. The study was conducted between August and September 2014. Also, 760 cases of road traffic accidents were analyzed from review of medical records for one year period, from July 2013 to June 2014. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression.
Key findings: Prevalence of road traffic accidents was high (46.1% of total injuries received in the selected health facilities. Males and youths constituted the highest proportion of casualties. Most health facilities were not prepared for mass casualty from road traffic accidents. Some of the selected health facilities have no emergency service committee, no functional theatre and no surgical team to handle emergency surgery. Also, most selected health facilities have no provision for regular staff training in emergency care. Despite inadequacies in preparedness, general knowledge of staff on emergency procedures was good and resuscitation equipment’s were available in most of the facilities at the time of visit. All the study sites can manage uncomplicated road traffic injuries successfully. Three facilities can manage single cases of moderate to severe traffic injuries successfully, while severe cases are referred due to inadequate facilities and lack of expertise.
Conclusion and Recommendation: All selected health facilities shows inadequate preparedness for mass casualties from road traffic accidents. These health facilities need to be supported and adequately funded to enhance their capacity to care for mass casualties from road traffic accidents.
Description
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of Master’s Degree in Public Health of Kampala International University
Keywords
Preparedness for emergency injuries, Health facilities, Mbarara-Kasese Southwestern, Uganda