title: Analysis of prospective trauma registry data in Francophone Africa: a pilot study from Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Injury rates in sub-Saharan Africa are among the highest in the world, but prospective, registry-based reports from Cameroon are limited. We aimed to create a prospective trauma registry to expand the data elements collected on injury at a busy tertiary center in Yaoundé Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Details of the injury context, presentation, care, cost, and disposition from the emergency department (ED) were gathered over a 6-month period, by trained research assistants using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate models were built to explore variable relationships and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 2,855 injured patients in 6 months, comprising almost half of all ED visits. Mean age was 30 years; 73 % were male. Injury mechanism was road traffic injury in 59 %, fall in 7 %, penetrating trauma in 6 %, and animal bites in 4 %. Of these, 1,974 (69 %) were discharged home, 517 (18 %) taken to the operating room, and 14 (1 %) to the intensive care unit. The body areas most severely injured were pelvis and extremity in 43 %, head in 30 %, chest in 4 %, and abdomen in 3 %. The estimated injury severity score (eISS) was <9 in 60 %, 9-24 in 35 %, and >25 in 2 %. Mortality was 0.7 %. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of mortality were eISS ≥9 and Glasgow Coma Score ≤12. Road traffic injury was an independent predictor for the need to have surgery. Trauma registry results were presented to the Ministry of Health in Cameroon, prompting the formation of a National Injury Committee.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injuries comprise a significant proportion of ED visits and utilization of surgical services in Yaoundé. A prospective approach allows for more extensive information. Thorough data from a prospective trauma registry can be used successfully to advocate for policy towards prevention and treatment of injuries.
authors.affiliation: International Injury Research Unit, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA, c.juillard@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Juillard
authors.forename: Kent A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Martin Ekeke
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Monono
authors.forename: Georges Alain Etoundi
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mballa
authors.forename: Marquise Kouo
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ngamby
authors.forename: Jolion
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGreevy
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cryer
authors.forename: Adnan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hyder
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult