Magnitude and pattern of injuries in north Gondar administrative zone, northwest Ethiopia

A prospective study was carried out between April and July 2000 in North Gondar administrative zone, Northwest Ethiopia, to assess the magnitude, pattern, outcome and burden of injuries. All trauma victims presenting to twenty health institutions were included. Of 37026 patients registered, 1982 (5.4%) presented with injury as main complaint. Trauma constituted about 46% of surgical patients, which shows a significant burden to the institutions. Seventy three percent of the injured patients were males. The leading cause of injury was assault (48.5%) followed by fall down injury (18.6%) and road traffic injuries (14.7%). Of the vehicle related injuries, 59.6% were caused by commercial vehicles. Admission was required in 15.2% of the injured patients. An average of 4.2 hours was required for initial outpatient management. The average hospital stay for the admitted patients was twelve and half days. In this and other parts of Ethiopia, injury prevention efforts should focus on assault, falls and transport safety with special attention to commercial vehicles. A community-based study is also recommended to explore the burden of trauma on the general community.