Analyzing the Emergency Triage Logbook Components of Road Traffic Accident Victims at AaBET Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

: 1.001_NCD Analyzing the Emergency Triage Logbook Components of Road Traffic Accident Victims at AaBET Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Y. Abebe, T. Dida, D. Silvestri, E. Yisma; St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Background: Among African nations, Ethiopia has among the highest burden of road traffic accidents (RTA). Each year, the country loses around 3000 people from RTA. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research on RTA victims presenting to urban emergency departments (EDs) in Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective document review of all patients presenting due to RTA at Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma (AaBET) Hospital (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) from August 18, 2015 to March 9, 2016. Selected patient variables from ED triage logbooks were entered into Microsoft Excel. Using SPSS version 21, we performed descriptive analyses, chi-square test of independence, and binary logistic regressions to describe and understand the analysis outputs of the records of RTA victims. Findings: During the study period, AaBET Hospital saw 662 RTA victims, comprising 32.1% of all trauma-related patients. Median age was 27 years. Using South Africa Triage Scale triage color categories, most patients were assigned lower triage acuity, with 289 (43.7%) patients assigned as Green and 273 (41.2%) patients assigned as Yellow. Of Green (lower triage acuity) victims (n1⁄4289), the majority (54.3%) of them were referred from health institutions. Among RTA victims referred from health institutions (n1⁄4408), 164 (40.2%) were referred without communication to the receiving facility. RTA patients coming from the scene were significantly less likely to arrive by ambulance [Adjusted OR 1⁄4 0.3 (95% CI: 0.21-0.43)] as compared to those who were referred from health institutions. Interpretation: In Addis Ababa, many patients being referred to a specialized trauma hospital after RTA have low triage acuity. Nevertheless, these referrals place highest demand on limited ambulance services, and often occur without clear communication between facilities. Strengthening primary health institutions to manage low-acuity RTA victims without referral may decrease strain on pre-hospital transport and trauma center resources, which may instead be directed toward RTA patients from the scene and those suffering from more critical injuries. Source of Funding: St. Pauls’ Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abstract #: 1.002_NCD: 1.002_NCD Trends of Incidence of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers in Kampala and Wakiso Districts, Uganda: 2009 to 2014 D.B. Abila, B. Fred; Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda Background: Cancer is relatively rare in childhood compared to later in life. Worldwide, the common malignant diseases of childhood are leukaemia, lymphomas, central nervous system tumors and embryonic solid tumors whereas among the adolescents, sarcomas of bone and soft tissue, and tumors of the male and female genital tracts. In Africa, the distribution of childhood cancers is quite similar, commonest being Kaposi sarcoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, retinoblastoma, leukaemia and Hodgkin lymphomas. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study which involved review of cancer patient’s information from Kampala cancer registry which collects information on cancers diagnosed within

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases worldwide. Stigma attached to epilepsy carries a greater burden than the disease itself. In Sudan, as in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) there is very limited research addressing neurological disorders in general, and epilepsy in particular. Misinformation and misconceptions should be identified and corrected for optimal care and management. This study was done to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers toward their epileptic children.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study we conducted questionnaire-based interviews at Soba University Hospital and Fath Alrahman children referral unit in Khartoum, Sudan to assess the knowledge attitude and practices of Mothers toward their epileptic children.
Findings: Of the 88 interviewed mothers, 57% were secondary school educated with an age range of 20 to 49 years old (Mean of 27). 41% were aware of the organic nature of the disease, 19% thought it might have a spiritual nature and 40% weren't aware of the nature of the disease. 77.3% thought epilepsy is not a hereditary disease and 16% thought it's infectious. Of the 78.4% who thought the disease is curable 71.6% believed in medical treatment alone and 28.4% thought spiritual treatment is possible as well. 56.8% of the mothers reported good responses to the attack and 43.2% reported poor responses. 60% of the mothers stated that epilepsy had a negative effect of their child socially.
Interpretation: The level of knowledge about epilepsy among mothers of epileptic children needs to be raised. Many mothers have significant wrong believes, negative attitudes, and poor practices. There is a need for educational programs to help in the improvement of the quality of life and prognosis of epileptic children. The media, as well as, high authorities government organizations should play a major role in increasing the public awareness. Increased awareness and public education could help in reducing the social stigma.
Source of Funding: None. Background: Among African nations, Ethiopia has among the highest burden of road traffic accidents (RTA). Each year, the country loses around 3000 people from RTA. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research on RTA victims presenting to urban emergency departments (EDs) in Ethiopia.

Methods:
We conducted a retrospective document review of all patients presenting due to RTA at Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma (AaBET) Hospital (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) from August 18, 2015 to March 9, 2016. Selected patient variables from ED triage logbooks were entered into Microsoft Excel. Using SPSS version 21, we performed descriptive analyses, chi-square test of independence, and binary logistic regressions to describe and understand the analysis outputs of the records of RTA victims.
Findings: During the study period, AaBET Hospital saw 662 RTA victims, comprising 32.1% of all trauma-related patients. Median age was 27 years. Using South Africa Triage Scale triage color categories, most patients were assigned lower triage acuity, with 289 (43.7%) patients assigned as Green and 273 (41.2%) patients assigned as Yellow. Of Green (lower triage acuity) victims (n¼289), the majority (54.3%) of them were referred from health institutions. Among RTA victims referred from health institutions (n¼408), 164 (40.2%) were referred without communication to the receiving facility. RTA patients coming from the scene were significantly less likely to arrive by ambulance [Adjusted OR ¼ 0.3 (95% CI: 0.21-0.43)] as compared to those who were referred from health institutions.
Interpretation: In Addis Ababa, many patients being referred to a specialized trauma hospital after RTA have low triage acuity. Nevertheless, these referrals place highest demand on limited ambulance services, and often occur without clear communication between facilities. Strengthening primary health institutions to manage low-acuity RTA victims without referral may decrease strain on pre-hospital transport and trauma center resources, which may instead be directed toward RTA patients from the scene and those suffering from more critical injuries.