Top

World Journal of Surgery

Published in:

01-10-2014

Compliance of District Hospitals in the Center Region of Cameroon with WHO/IATSIC Guidelines for the Care of the Injured: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Authors: Alain Chichom-Mefire, Nicole Therese Mbarga-Essim, Martin Ekeke Monono, Marcelin Ngowe Ngowe

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 10/2014

Abstract

Background

Injuries are a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Low-income countries, particularly in Africa, are disproportionately affected. The burden of injuries can be alleviated by preventive measures and appropriate management of injury cases. African countries generally lack trauma care systems based on reliable and affordable guidelines. The aim of this study was to assess the compliance of some district hospitals in Cameroon with World Health Organization/International Association for Trauma and Intensive Care (WHO/IATSIC) guidelines for care of the injured.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive survey used items from the WHO/IATSIC “Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care” to develop a checklist for inspection of physical equipment and a questionnaire assessing human resources and organizational capabilities in 25 district hospitals of the Center Region of Cameroon.

Results

All hospitals surveyed had at least one doctor available. Each reported treating a mean of 338 ± 214 injury cases every year. Most hospitals (n = 22) were globally either not compliant or partly compliant with the guidelines. Staff generally had received the appropriate basic training but had no additional training specifically directed toward trauma management. Skills for managing specific injuries (e.g., chest injuries) were poor. Availability and utilization of equipment was globally inadequate, and organizational capabilities were almost nonexistent.

Conclusions

District hospitals of the Center Region of Cameroon still lack compliance with the WHO/IATSIC guidelines for essential trauma care but have significant potential for improvement. It seems possible to optimize the utilization of existing facilities.

Available only for authorised users

Mathers CD, Boerma T, Ma Fat D (2009) Global and regional causes of death. Br Med Bull 92:7–32PubMedCrossRef

WHO (2004) The global burden of disease: 2004 update. World Health Organization, Geneva

Nordberg E (2000) Injuries as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiology and prospects for control. East Afr Med J 77(Suppl):S1–S43PubMed

Mock CN, Jurkovich GJ, nii-Amon-Kotei D et al (1998) Trauma mortality patterns in three nations at different economic levels: implications for global trauma system development. J Trauma 44:804–812PubMedCrossRef

Brambillasca P, Coccolini F, Catena F et al (2013) Trauma care: not all countries are equal. World J Surg 37:473–474. doi:10.1007/s00268-012-1752-4 PubMedCrossRef

Mock C, Joshipura M, Goosen J (2004) Global strengthening of care for the injured. Bull World Health Organ 82:241PubMedPubMedCentral

Mock C, Joshipura M, Areola-Risa C et al (2012) An estimate of the number of lives that could be saved through improvements in trauma care globally. World J Surg 36:959–963. doi:10.1007/s00268-012-1459-6 PubMedCrossRef

Zafarghandi M, Modaghegh M, Roudsari B (2003) Preventable trauma death in Tehran: an estimate of trauma care quality in teaching hospitals. J Trauma 55:459–465PubMedCrossRef

Quansah R (2006) Essential trauma care in Ghana: adaptation and implementation on the political tough road. World J Surg 30:934–939. doi:10.1007/s00268-005-0766-6 PubMedCrossRef

10.

Mock C, Arreola-Risa C, Quansah R (2003) Strengthening care for injured persons in less developed countries: a case study of Ghana and Mexico. Inj Control Saf Promot 10:45–51PubMedCrossRef

11.

Joshipura M, Mock C, Goosen J et al (2004) Essential trauma care: strengthening trauma systems round the world. Injury 35:841–845PubMedCrossRef

12.

Mock C, Joshipura M, Goosen J et al (2006) Overview of the essential trauma care project. World J Surg 30:919–929. doi:10.1007/s00268-005-0764-8 PubMedCrossRef

13.

Mock C, Kobusingye O, Joshipura M et al (2005) Strengthening trauma and critical care globally. Curr Opin Crit Care 11:568–575PubMedCrossRef

14.

Son NT, Mock C (2006) Improvements in trauma care capabilities in Vietnam through use of the WHO-IATSIC guidelines for essential trauma care. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 13:125–127PubMedCrossRef

15.

Tachfouti N, Bhatti JA, Nejjari C et al (2011) Emergency trauma care for severe injuries in a Moroccan region: conformance to French and World Health Organization standards. J Healthc Qual 33:30–38PubMedCrossRef

16.

Juillard CJ, Mock C, Goosen J et al (2009) Establishing the evidence base for trauma quality improvement: a collaborative WHO-IATSIC review. World J Surg 33:1075–1086. doi:10.1007/s00268-009-9959-8 PubMedCrossRef

17.

Joshipura M (2006) Guidelines for essential trauma care: progress in India. World J Surg 30:930–933. doi:10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2011.02.001 PubMedCrossRef

18.

Goosen J, Morris P, Kobusingye O et al (2006) Advancing essential trauma care through the partner organizations: IATSIC, ISS-SIC, and WHO. World J Surg 30:940–945. doi:10.1007/s00268-005-0767-5 PubMedCrossRef

19.

WHO (2013) World health statistics. World Health Organization, Geneva

20.

Chichom Mefire A, Etoundi Mballa GA, Azabji Kenfack M et al (2013) Hospital-based injury data from level III institution in Cameroon: retrospective analysis of the present registration system. Injury 44:139–143PubMedCrossRef

21.

Juillard C, Etoundi Mballa GA, Bilounga Ndongo C et al (2011) Patterns of injury and violence in Yaoundé Cameroon: an analysis of hospital data. World J Surg 35:1–8. doi:10.1007/s00268-010-0825-5 PubMedCrossRef

22.

Mock C, Nguyen S, Quansah R et al (2006) Evaluation of trauma care capabilities in four countries using the WHO-IATSIC Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care. World J Surg 30:946–956. doi:10.1007/s00268-005-0768-4 PubMedCrossRef

23.

Arreola-Risa C, Mock C, Vega Rivera F et al (2006) Evaluating trauma care capabilities in Mexico with the World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care publication. Rev Panam Salud Publ 19:94–103CrossRef

24.

Hanche-Olsen TP, Alemu L, Viste A et al (2012) Trauma care in Africa: a status report from Botswana, guided by the World Health Organization’s “Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care.”. World J Surg 36:2371–2383. doi:10.1007/s00268-012-1659-0 PubMedCrossRef

25.

Von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M et al (2007) The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Lancet 370:1453–1457CrossRef

26.

Son NT, Thu NH, Tu NT et al (2007) Assessment of the status of resources for essential trauma care in Hanoi and Khanh Hoa Vietnam. Injury 38:1014–1022PubMedCrossRef

27.

Boesen MP, Larsen CF, Lippert FK et al (2001) Admission, initial examination and care of severely injured in Denmark. Ugeskr Laeger 163:5963–5966PubMed

28.

WHO (2006) World health report 2006: working together for health. World Health Organization, Geneva

29.

Aboutanos MB, Mora F, Rodas E et al (2010) Ratification of IATSIC/WHO’s Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care assessment in the South American region. World J Surg 34:2735–2744. doi:10.1007/s00268-010-0716-9 PubMedCrossRef

30.

Aboutanos MB, Rodas EB, Aboutanos SZ et al (2007) Trauma education and care in the jungle of Ecuador, where there is no advanced trauma life support. J Trauma 62:714–719PubMedCrossRef

31.

Ali J, Adam R, Butler AK et al (1993) Trauma outcome improves following the advanced trauma life support program in a developing country. J Trauma 34:890–898PubMedCrossRef

32.

Petrie D, Lane P, Stewart TC (1996) An evaluation of patient outcomes comparing trauma teams activated versus trauma teams not activated using TRISS analysis. J Trauma 41:870–875PubMedCrossRef

Title: Compliance of District Hospitals in the Center Region of Cameroon with WHO/IATSIC Guidelines for the Care of the Injured: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Alain Chichom-Mefire
Nicole Therese Mbarga-Essim
Martin Ekeke Monono
Marcelin Ngowe Ngowe
Publication date: 01-10-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-014-2609-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Compliance of District Hospitals in the Center Region of Cameroon with WHO/IATSIC Guidelines for the Care of the Injured: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 10/2014

Mesh Fixation at Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Meta-Analysis Comparing Tissue Glue and Tack Fixation

Single-Port and Multi-Port Laparoscopic Left Lateral Liver Sectionectomy for Treating Benign Liver Diseases: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Short-Term Outcomes of Totally Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy: Experience With the First Consecutive 112 Cases

Continuous Irrigation as a Therapeutic Option for Graft Infections of the Groin

Disclosure of Funding Sources and Conflicts of Interest in Phase III Surgical Trials: Survey of Ten General Surgery Journals

Combination of Morphologic Criteria and α-Fetoprotein in Selection of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Liver Transplantation Minimizes the Problem of Posttransplant Tumor Recurrence