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Incidence and patterns of pediatric fractures at selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024: a multi-center
Sefa Muzemil1, Amha Mekasha2, Fetiha Muzemil3
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, St. Peter's Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Pediatric fractures affect 28% of injured children in Addis Ababa, with falls being the primary cause. Upper limb fractures are most common, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Epidemiology of Childhood Injuries
- Orthopedic Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric fractures represent a significant, yet often overlooked, public health burden, with limited data available in many regions.
- Preventable injuries account for a substantial number of childhood deaths, underscoring the need for effective community interventions.
- A lack of country-specific data on pediatric fracture incidence and patterns hinders the development of targeted prevention policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and patterns of pediatric fractures in children presenting with trauma.
- To provide essential data for prioritizing interventions and formulating public health policies in Ethiopia.
- To establish a baseline for future research on pediatric fracture prevention.
Main Methods:
- A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in three public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Data was collected from October 2023 to February 2024 using a structured questionnaire administered by trained nurses.
- Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info version 7 and SPSS version 21.
Main Results:
- A total of 182 fractures were recorded among 648 children with trauma, yielding an overall incidence of 28%.
- Falls were the leading cause of injury (79%), followed by road traffic accidents (15.4%) and assaults (5.6%).
- Upper limb fractures were most prevalent (73%), with 54% of children sustaining injuries to multiple structures.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of pediatric fractures among injured children in Addis Ababa is 28%, with a higher prevalence in males and children aged 6-10 years.
- Falls represent the predominant mechanism of injury, emphasizing the need for fall-prevention programs.
- Upper limb fractures are the most common type, necessitating focused attention in pediatric orthopedic care and injury prevention efforts.
Introduction:
Nearly 2,000 children under the age of 14 die every day due to injuries, with fractures accounting for 10%-25% of these cases. The burden of pediatric fractures is significant, but neglected and many can be prevented through simple and cost-effective community-level interventions. However, no studies have been conducted in our country regarding the incidence and patterns of pediatric fractures. Without comprehensive data, it is challenging to set priorities, formulate policies, and implement preventive measures. Therefore, this study aims to determine the incidence and patterns of pediatric fractures at selected hospitals in Addis Ababa in 2024.
Materials And Methods:
A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted from October 10, 2023, to February 15, 2024, in the emergency unit and pediatrics ward of three public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Yekatit 12 Hospital, and Alert Hospital. Data was collected by bachelor's degree nurses using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data was refined, coded, and entered into Epi Info version 7 computer software, then exported into SPSS version 21 for data cleaning and analysis.
Results:
From a total of 648 children who encountered trauma, 182 cases were fractures, resulting in an incidence of 28% (95% CI: 26.5-29.7). The major patterns of injury were due to falls (79%), road traffic accidents (RTAs) (15.4%), and assaults (5.6%). The upper limb was the most common site of injury (73%). Fifty-four percent of the children had injuries to two structures.
Conclusions:
The overall incidence of pediatric fractures among those who encountered trauma was 28%. Male children exhibited a higher incidence of fractures than female children. The highest risk of fractures occurred in children aged 6-10 years. Upper limb fractures were observed more frequently than lower limb fractures.
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