title: Use of healthcare services by injured people in Khartoum State, Sudan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trauma care is an important factor in preventing death and reducing disability. Injured persons in low- and middle-income countries are expected to use the formal healthcare system in increasing numbers. The objective of this paper is to examine use of healthcare services after injury in Khartoum State, Sudan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based survey using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique in Khartoum State was performed. Information on healthcare utilisation was taken from injured people. A logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors affecting the probability of using formal healthcare services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 12 months preceding the survey a total of 441 cases of non-fatal injuries occurred, with 260 patients accessing formal healthcare. About a quarter of the injured persons were admitted to hospital. Injured people with primary education were less likely to use formal healthcare compared to those with no education. Formal health services were most used by males and in cases of road traffic injuries. The lowest socio-economic strata were least likely to use formal healthcare.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health measures and social security should be strengthened by identifying other real barriers that prevent low socio-economic groups from making use of formal healthcare facilities. Integration and collaboration with traditional orthopaedic practitioners are important aspects that need further attention.
authors.affiliation: Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Overlege Danielsens Hus, Årstadv. 21, NO-5020 Bergen, Norway School of Medicine, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, P.O. Box 167, Sudan sallyhassan@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Tayeb
authors.affiliation: Sudanese Public Health Consultancy Group, Solihull, UK.
authors.forename: Safa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bergen University College, Norway.
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van den Bergh
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Ivar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heuch
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D003906:Developing Countries; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011634:Public Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013397:Sudan; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Health utilisation; Household survey; Socio-economic factors; Sudan; Trauma care