Improving Trauma Care and Prevention in the COSECSA Region: A Review of Trauma Data Utilization

Trauma research is important for the member countries of the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to define the state of trauma systems. We aim to assess the literature describing the translation of trauma data to implementation programs for trauma care improvement or injury prevention in the COSECSA region.

A contemporary narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, Global Health, Africa-Wide, and HINARI (searched January 2025). Published studies on injury prevention programs, trauma care improvement, and policy changes in COSECSA were included. Studies focused on measuring trauma prevalence were excluded. Qualitative analysis of interventional design and impact was conducted.

Over 1250 abstracts were screened. Nearly all publications using trauma data focused on measuring injury patterns and associated risk factors. Of the 57 translational articles meeting inclusion criteria, 30 (53%) pertained to trauma care capacity building and education, 10 (18%) evaluated quality improvement programs in trauma care, 7 (12%) described injury prevention programs, 5 (9%) assessed injury-related policy changes, and 5 (9%) described secondary benefits of registries such as improved patient assessments. Geographically, 19 (33%) articles originated from Uganda, 10 (18%) from Rwanda, 7 (12%) from Tanzania, 6 (11%) from Kenya, 5 (9%) from Malawi, 4 (7%) from Ethiopia and Botswana each, and 1 (2%) from South Sudan, Mozambique, and Zambia each. The findings reveal significant progress in the COSECSA region in using trauma data to enhance care and prevention efforts. However, transforming data into actionable programs remains a complex and challenging process with ample opportunities for further work.

Publications pertaining to implementation programs for trauma care improvement and injury prevention are sparse in the existing literature. We highlight trauma research in the COSECSA region with tangible, direct local benefits. Shifting the focus of trauma research from disease burden to targeted implementation programs may be a more impactful use of scarce resources and research energies.