Trauma systems in Kenya: a qualitative analysis at the district level

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Care Systems
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Injuries are a major cause of death and disability in low- and middle-income countries.
• Kenya experiences a high burden of injury, with 88.4 deaths per 100,000 population.
• Existing trauma care systems in Kenya remain largely unassessed despite injury prevention efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess formal and informal district-level trauma care systems in Kenya.
• To understand perceptions of prehospital and hospital trauma care among stakeholders.
• To identify areas for improvement in Kenya's trauma response.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing 25 semi-structured interviews and 16 focus group discussions.
• Participants included Ministry of Health officials, hospital administrators, healthcare providers, police, and community members.
• Theoretical analysis was used to identify themes in trauma care.

Main Results:

• Prehospital care heavily relies on informal 'good Samaritans' and police.
• Hospital care is constrained by significant infrastructure deficits.
• Human resources and access to definitive care were also identified as challenges.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need to develop formal prehospital care systems in Kenya.
• Strengthening hospital-based trauma care services, particularly infrastructure, is essential.
• Addressing these gaps can significantly reduce injury-related mortality and morbidity.