Degu et al.

BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 BMC Emergency Medicine

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01047-1

RESEARCH Open Access

Magnitude and outcome of road traffic

accidents among patients admitted in dessie
town governmental hospitals, Northeast
Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022
Fatuma Seid Degu1*, Adem Hussein Endris1, Samuel Anteneh Ayele1, Natnaiel Grima Melkie1, Mitaw Girma Kenbaw1,
Mekuriaw Wuhib Shumye1, Missale Kassahun Hirpo1, Atrsaw Dessie Liyew2, Mandefro Assefaw Geremew2 and
Prem Kumar1

Abstract
Background Road traffic accidents(RTA) are a major public health problem worldwide, accounting for almost
1.24 million deaths per year and it is the number one cause of death among those aged group 15–29 years. Even
though there are great benefits from access to road transportation there also poses a great challenge in the
individual’s daily activities ranging from minor injury to death.
Objective This study aimed to assess the magnitude and outcome of road traffic accidents among patients admitted
in Dessie Town Governmental Hospitals, Northeast Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods A five-year hospital-based retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among
377 road traffic accident patients admitted to Dessie Town Governmental hospitals. Data were collected by simple
random methods based on patient chart reviews from June 7/, 2022 to May 23/ 2017 using a checklist adapted from
the WHO standard hospital-based road traffic accident questionnaires after obtaining consent from the concerned
authority. EPI-Data software version 7.2 for data entry and SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis were used. Descriptive
and inferential statistics were used. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05 with an adjusted odds
ratio (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) in the final multinomial logistic regression model.
Results The magnitude of road traffic accidents was 59%, using of logistic multi nominal logistic regression we
found results such that, road traffic victims who had unstable vital signs at admission (AOR = 6.4,95% CI; 2.5–16.6),
didn’t get prehospital treatment (AOR = 9.3,95% CI; 4–20), and severe injury (AOR = 9, 95% CI;7-15.4), had a Glasgow
coma scale of 3–5 (AOR = 5.2,95% CI; 1.4–20) were found predictors for death were as unstable vital signs at admission
(AOR = 3.79,95%CI;2.1–6.8), Doesn’t get prehospital treatment (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI; 1.4–5.7), Hospital stay for one to two
months duration (AOR = 6,95% CI;2.3–15), and greater than two months duration (AOR = 6.5,95%CI;2.5–17) were found
predictors for disability among road traffic victims.

*Correspondence:
Fatuma Seid Degu
fahmseid10@gmail.com
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article

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Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 2 of 12

Conclusions and recommendations Road traffic accidents constitute a major public health problem in our setting
and contribute significantly to excessively high morbidity and mortality. Unstable vital signs at admission, Client
doesn’t get prehospital treatment, severely injured client, and had a Glasgow coma scale of 3–5 were found predictors
for death were as an unstable vital sign at admission, Client doesn’t get pre-hospital treatment, Hospital stays for one
to two months duration, and greater than two months duration were found predictors for disability among road
traffic victims.
Keywords Dessie, Hospitals, Magnitude, Road traffic accidents, Outcome

Introduction admission [6–9]. Delay to come to the hospital (over

Background 24 h), the severity of injuries, and management types [10]
Road transportation has a direct connection with the were significant indicators of death among the road traf-
day-to-day activities of people, especially in large cities fic victims. According to many studies notify that, Road
where the distance to be traveled is too far to cover on traffic accidents affect not only the health of individuals
foot or by bicycle within a reasonable time. The Global but also their family members, as it can drive households
Status Report on Road Safety 2023 shows that the num- into poverty when they struggle to cope with the long-
ber of annual road traffic deaths has fallen slightly to term consequences of the events, such as the costs of
1.19 million [1]. medical care, rehabilitation and loss of family’s breadwin-
According to the report on road traffic injury showed ners. RTAs have substantial adverse effects on national
that the number of road traffic injuries has continued health systems as well, many of which already have suf-
to rise in the whole world, but there has been an over- fered from woefully inadequate levels of resources [11].
all downward trend in road traffic deaths in high-income Rescue the trapped casualties, looking for breathing,
countries since the 1970s and an increase in many of heart function, and consciousness, controlling bleeding
the low-income and middle - income countries. Deaths and fractures, and moving the casualty to the closest hos-
related to road traffic injury (RTI) are predicted to pital were considerable treatment measures [12] (Figure
increase by 83% in low-income and middle-income coun- 1).
tries and to decrease by 27% in high-income countries Currently, there is limited literature to generalize the
[2]. The severity of road traffic accidents is also likely to country’s context. However, no study has addressed the
be much greater in Africa than anywhere else because trends of road traffic accidents for at least five years of
many vulnerable road users are involved, poor transport duration. Adding to this, similarly, previous researchers
conditions such as lack of seat belts, overcrowding, and used logistic regression only, whereas the current study
hazardous vehicle environments. The poor reporting used multinominal logistic regression and included the
system has also masked the magnitude of the problem new variable disability and outcome variables, and this
in the Africa region. The lack of pre-hospital and hospi- study insight into hospital administrative units’ national
tal emergency care after accidents makes the outcome of road safety commissions, motor traffic, and transport
car accidents the worst in Africa. African countries had units, and other stakeholders to develop effective treat-
the highest mortality rate, with 28.3 deaths per 100,000 ment responses and strategies for road accident admis-
populations, and, In Ethiopia a road traffic fatality rate sion victims. It also provides evidence on effective road
of 37 per 100,000 population [3, 29]. Ethiopian Federal traffic accident prevention, patient care, and rehabilita-
Police Commission recorded 15,034 road accidents in tion, serving as a baseline for future research. Hence the
2021, resulting in 4,161 deaths, surpassing the World study aimed to assess the magnitude outcome of road
Health Organization’s 2013 record of 4,984.3 deaths per traffic accidents among patients admitted to Dessie town
100,000 vehicles per year[4]. Over the 45 months from governmental hospitals.
September 2013 to May 2017, 3385 road traffic accidents
were reported in Amhara Region. The average monthly Method and materials
number of accidents was 76, with the highest being 108 Study design, area, and period
and the lowest being 43 [28]. Dessie Town took the third The hospital-based retrospective descriptive cross-sec-
rank, following Gondar and Bahir Dar city 86.3%,54.8%, tional study design was conducted at Dessie Town gov-
and 48.5% respectively [5]. ernmental hospitals; Dessie Town is one of the eleven
Scholars suggest factors contributing to fatality rates zones in Amhara Regional state and the city of the South
in road traffic victims include age (> 60 years), systolic Wollo Zone. It is located at a distance of 401 km from
blood pressure, Glasgow coma scale, head injury, time to Addis Ababa. According to the 2007 Central Statisti-
reach a health facility, patient condition, hospital days, cal Agency report, Dessie has 285,530 populations in
abdominal injury, transfer status, blood transfusion, ICU 2021/2022, of which 49.5% are men. In 2019/2020, there
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 3 of 12

Fig. 1 Conceptual framework shows the relationship between dependent and independent variables

were 8 health centers, 8 health posts, 2 government hos- Study population

pitals, 3 private hospitals, 38 private clinics, 55 private All patients admitted with road traffic accidents to Dessie
drug stores, and 4 private diagnostic laboratories. Dessie Town governmental Hospitals during study periods.
Town governmental hospitals as the three main wards
in the hospital, the orthopedic, medical, and surgical Sample size and sampling method
wards, together treat about 3600 patients annually. There Sample size determination using a single population
are currently 39 beds in the surgical ward with five gen- formula
eral surgeons and 19 staff members and 36 beds in the
orthopedic ward with two orthopedics and 12 staff mem- p (1 − p)
(za/2)2
bers providing care [13]. Boru Media General Hospi- d2
tal is located 20 km from Dessie Town and has different
departments and wards surgical wards have 10 beds and P = proportion = 33.6% (14).
the orthopedic has 7 beds with 3 surgeons and 12 staff Z α2 2=1.96


was currently giving services. Moreover 409 road traffic D = Degree of precession = 5%.
patients were visited per month in the respective study By adding a 10% non-response rate the final sample size
area. The study was conducted from June 7/2022-23/ was 377 (Figure 2).
2022. Sampling technique: A simple random sampling tech-
nique was used to select study participants.
Source populations
All patients who experience RTA traumatic injury are Variables of the study
admitted to Dessie Town governmental hospitals. Dependent variables: Magnitude of Road Traffic
Accidents.
Independent variables.
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 4 of 12

Fig. 2 Sampling procedure about the of road traffic accident, and treatment outcome at Dessie Town governmental Hospitals, North east Ethiopia, 2022

Socio-demographic characteristics treatment modality, treatment outcome, and other vari-

Age, Sex, Educational status, marital status, Residence, ables were collected from chief complaint, history of
and occupation. present illness, progress, admission, and discharge note.

Environmental and clinical related factors Data processing and analysis

The factors such as Type of injury and Hospital, Length The data was entered by Epidata Version 7.2 and analyzed
of hospital stay, body area/part involved degree of injury using SPSS version 25. Data cleaning was performed to
as mild, moderate and severe, vital signs at admission, check for frequencies, accuracy, consistency and missed
management type, Glasgow coma scale at admission, and values and variables. Any error identified during data
comorbidity disease. entry was corrected after revision of the original com-
pleted checklist.
Data collection tools and procedures Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of
Data was collected using a checklist adopted from the < 0.05 with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR). To explain the
WHO hospital-based standard with 15 main question- study population about relevant variables descriptive like
naires of road traffic accidents by 3 BSc nurses and one percentage, and frequency, and analytical statistics like,
supervisor after they were trained by the principal inves- tables, and binary and multivariate logistic regression
tigator for one working day before the actual data collec- were used to present data and to show the relationship
tion date. To get the patient’s primary files from the card between the dependent and independent variables in
room, the card number was first taken from the log books the study. All explanatory variables enter into the multi-
in each department, including the emergency room, variate logistic regression model to control the possible
operating room, surgical, and medical inpatient records. effect of confounders and by using the backward stepwise
To gather the necessary information for the study partici- regression method. Finally, the variables had an indepen-
pants, the patient’s card’s medical record number (MRN) dent association with treatment outcome, death, and dis-
was fully listed next to it, along with the relevant study ability was declared based on 95% CI and p-value < 0.05.
periods. Then all MRNs were cross-checked across each Model fitness was checked by using the Hosmer and
department and unit to avoid any duplication. Finally, Lemeshow’s goodness of fit test which was 0.954.
based on the inclusion criteria of the study cards which
had all variables for the study were selected based on Data quality control and assurance
simple random techniques after a proportional alloca- A pre-test was done with 5% of the sample size at Kemis-
tion number of cases per year. Then all variables like sie General Hospital, Ethiopia. The data collectors and
pre-hospital care, body part injured, types of diagnosis, supervisor were trained for 2 days on how to collect the
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 5 of 12

data from the particular participants. The progress of First aid

data collection was scrutinized by the supervisor every It is the implementation of measures of the immediate
other day. Model fitness was confirmed by the Hosmer care taken of the lives of people with traumas and ill-
and Lemeshow test, and it was 0.954. nesses until they are given professional medical assis-
tance [30].
Operational definition
Injury Good treatment outcome
Physical damage to the body, intentionally or uninten- The client remained discharged with improvements and/
tionally [15]. or deprived of impediments like hearing loss, vision loss,
amputations, and so on. [15]
Degree of injury
The degree of the injury is determined by the extent of Poor treatment outcome
the injury, including superficial, moderate, and severe If the patient remained discharged through complica-
injuries, which require skilled treatment [14]. tions or transferred/shifted to a tertiary or specialized
health setup, or deceased in the hospital [15].
RTA
collisions involving two or more automobiles with auto- Death at arrival
mobiles as well as automobiles with people, automobiles It refers to the death of a patient when brought to the
with animals, and, automobiles with immovable or fixed hospital and /or within an hour of existence at the hos-
objects [15]. pital [15].

RTA death Passenger

Any patient or victim admitted and starting treatment at Individuals who travel in a vehicle or transport system
selected healthcare facilities [29]. [31].

Pedestrian
Table 1 Socio- demographic characteristics of road traffic A person transporting themselves in the most natural
accidents admitted patients at Dessie Town governmental expression of what it means to be human [32].
hospitals Northeast Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 377)
Variable Category Frequency(n) Percent (%)
Results
Sex Male 237 62.9
Socio-demographic characteristics of the study
Female 140 37.1
participants
Age group ≤ 20 121 32.1
A total of 377 participants were enrolled in this study,
21–40 182 48.3
making a 100% response rate.
> 40 74 19.6
The mean ages of the study participants were 27.34
Marital status Married 129 34.2
Single 248 65.8
years with (SD, 12.86). More than half of the study par-
Religion Muslim 244 64.7
ticipants, 237 (62.9%) were male. Regarding their marital
Orthodox 79 21
status, 129 (34.2%) were married. Concerning their reli-
Protestant 54 14.3 gion, 244 (64.7%) were Muslim, Protestant 54 (14.3%),
Education Unable to read and write 74 19.6 and 79(21%) were Orthodox. Regarding their educational
Primary school 167 44.3 status, more than one-fourth of the study participants
Secondary school 69 18.3 167 (44.3%) were attending primary school followed by
College and above 67 17.8 74 (19.6%) unable to read and write. Concerning their
Residence Urban 236 62.6 residency and working status, nearly two-thirds of the
Rural 141 37.4 study participants 236 (62.6%) were urban dwellers and
Occupation Student 128 34 128 (34%) were students followed by 85 (22.54%), house-
Daily labor 27 7.2 wife 53 (14.1%), civil servants, and 49 (13%) were traders
Farmer 26 6.9 (Table 1).
Trader 49 13.0
Civil servant 53 14.1 Nature of the injury, diagnosis, their location, and Hospital
Deriver 12 3.2 name
House wife 17 4.5 The finding of this study showed that, all most three
Construction worker 33 8.8 fourth of victims 281 (74.5%) were attended at Dessie
Unemployment 32 8.5 Comprehensive Specialized Hospital followed by Boru
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 6 of 12

Media General Hospital 96 (25.5%). Concerning the place road traffic victim were severely injured followed by 139
where the victims came to hospitals 159 (42.2%) of the (36.9%) Moderately injured, and 80 (21 0.2%) were had
victim came from health centers followed by 131 (34.7%) minor injury related road traffic accidents. Concerning
from primary Hospitals, and 87 (23.1%) from the scene. the mental status of the victim 160 (42.4%) had a GCS
Regarding of region of injury, musculoskeletal (lower range of 3–8 followed by 141 (37.4%), a GCS range of
extremities) 80 (21.2%) were the most affected region 9–12, and 76 (20.2%) with a GCS range of 13–15. Regard-
of the body followed by the Chest 80 (18.6%), head and ing comorbidity disease 120 (31.8%) victims had comor-
neck 67 (17.8%), abdomen 51 (13.5%), upper extremities bidity diseases. Regarding hospital length of stay, 168
38 (10.1%), bone fracture 33 (8.75%), and more than one (44.6%) stayed at the hospital for less than one-month
parts of the body 28 (7.4) were accounting of the cases. duration followed by 104 (27.6%) were stayed for one
Concerning the diagnosis of cases, internal organ inju- to two months duration, 70 (18.6%) stayed for three to
ries 108 (28.6%) was the most diagnosed injury followed months duration, and 35 (9.3%) stays for more than three
by fracture and dislocation 96 (25.5%), head injury 51 months duration in the hospital this including the day
(13.5%), soft tissue injury (Bruise, abrasion, laceration) 50 spent for follow up after they were discharged (Table: 3).
(13.3%), multiple organ injuries 49 (13%), and 23 (6.1%)
were spinal cord injury (Table 2). Magnitudes related to road traffic accidents
In this study, 377 road victims participated at Dessie
Vehicle type that was involved in the accident and patient Town governmental Hospitals with the magnitude of
condition related to road traffic accidents road traffic accidents found to be 59% throughout 5 years
This study showed that 111 (29.4%) injuries were caused at DessieTown governmental Hospitals showed that the
by Bajaj followed by, 91 (24.1%) by Motor cycle, 61 road traffic accidents dramatically increased from the
(16.2%) by Taxi, 44 (11.7%) by a heavy trucks, 28(7.4%) year 2010 until the year 2014 according to Ethiopian cal-
by Pickup, and the remained caused by Bus, Minibus, and endar (figure 3).
other vehicles. Concerning the admission ward, nearly
half of the road traffic victims 180 (47.7%) were admit- Factors associated with death
ted to the surgical ward followed by 106 (28.1%) in the To assess the association of different independent vari-
ICU ward, 71 (18.8%) in the paediatric ward, and 20 ables with treatment outcome, bivariable multinomial
(5.3%) were admitted in the medical ward. Concerning logistic regression analysis was conducted for a crude
Hospital treatment more than half percent of the vic- association, and all variables with a (P-Value ≤ 0.2) were
tims 217 (57.6%) were gate pre Hospital treatment and candidates for multivariable multinomial logistic regres-
stable Vital sign were saw among 222 (58.9%) road traffic sion. unstable vital sign at admission (AOR = 6.4,95%CI;
victims during admission more than 158 (41.9%) of the 2.5–16.6), unable to gate prehospital treatment

Table 2 Nature of the injury, diagnosis, their location, and Hospital Name related to road traffic accidents admitted patients at Dessie
Town governmental health facilities Northeast Ethiopia 2022 (n = 377)
Variable Category Frequency(n) Percent (%)
Hospital Name of pt. admitted Dessie Comprehensive specialized hospital 281 74.5
Boru Media general hospital 96 25.5
The place where the victim come to Hospital From health center 159 42.2
From primary hospital 131 34.7
From the scene 87 23.1
Body region injured Musculoskeletal (Lower extremities) 80 21.2
Chest 70 18.6
Neck and Head 67 17.8
Abdomen 51 13.5
Upper extremities 38 10.1
Bone fracture 32 8.5
Multiple body part 28 7.4
Main Diagnosis Internal organ injuries 108 28.6
Fracture and dislocations 96 25.5
Head injury 51 13.5
Soft tissue injury 50 13.3
Multiple organ injuries 49 13.0
Spinal cord injury 23 6.1
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 7 of 12

Table 3 Ward and patient condition related to road traffic accidents admitted patients at Dessie Town governmental health facilities,
Northeast, Ethiopia 2022 (n = 377)
Variables Category Frequency(n) Per-
cent
(%)
Type vehicle that involved the Bajaj 111 29.4
accident Motor cycle 91 24.1
Taxi 61 16.2
Heavy truck 44 11.7
Isuzu 28 7.4
Minubace 15 4
Bus 15 4
Other 12 3.2
Type of ward the victim admitted ICU 106 28.1
Surgical 180 47.7
Pediatric ward 71 18.8
Medical ward 20 5.3
Pre Hospital Treatment Yes 217 57.6
No 160 42.4
Vital sign at admission Stable 222 58.9
Unstable 155 41.1
Degree of injury Severe 158 41.9
Moderate 139 36.9
Minor 80 21.2
Glasgow coma scale 3–8 160 42.4
9–12 141 37.4
13–15 76 20.2
Comorbidity disease Yes 120 31.8
No 257 68.2
Length of Hospital stay < 1 month 168 44.6
1month − 2 month 104 27.6
>=3 month 105 27.9
Treatment out come Improved 136 36.1
Discharged with disable 97 25.7
Died after intervention (Air way opening technique, putting cervical 62 16.4
collar, blood transfusion, Etc.)
Immediately died (time less than one hours) 61 16.2
Referred to higher level 16 4.2
The result was not known 5 1.3

(AOR = 9.3,95% CI; 4–20), and severee injury (AOR = 9, Discussion

95% CI;7-15.4), and had Glasgow coma scale 3–5 This study revealed that the prevalence of road traffic
(AOR = 5.2,95%CI; 1.4–20) were found predictors for accidents was found to be 59%.
death among road traffic admission victims. This result is in line with the study carried out in Yir-
galem General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia with the
Factors associated with disabilities related to road traffic prevalence reported as (51.4%) [16]. in Wolaita Zone,
accident victims SNNPR, Ethiopia where the prevalence was 62.5% [17], in
The findings of this study shows that unstable vital Adama Hospital Medical College, Central Ethiopia where
signs at admission (AOR = 3.79, 95%CI;2.1–6.8,), Do the prevalence was reported as 54.7% [10].
not getting Hospital treatment (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI; On the other, the present study finding was higher
1.4–5.7), Hospital stay for one to two months duration than the studies done in the emergency departments
(AOR = 6,95% CI;2.3–15), greater than two months dura- of the University of Gondar Comprehensive Teaching
tion (AOR = 6.5,95%CI;2.5–17) were found predictors for and Referral Hospital (UOGCTRH) which was found
disability among road traffic accident admission Victims as 33.6% with (95%CI: 28%, 39.1%) [14]. In the Emer-
(Table 4). gency Department at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Referral
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 8 of 12

Fig. 3 Road traffic accident trends in the 5 years at Dessie Town governmental hospitals from June 7/2022 to May 2017 Northeast,2022 (n = 377)

Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the prevalence was (AOR = 9.3,95% CI; 4–20). This finding was supported by
reported as (38.3%) [18]. the study done by Bugando Medical Centre in North-
The variation of the prevalence for the UOGCTRH western Tanzania [23]. Which states that prehospital
study might be due to the study period which was only care is a very important factor in determining the out-
for 6 months duration and it was limited to the specific come after injury [24]. In the current study clients who
departments which was done in the emergency depart- have severe injury were nine times more likely to die
ment only and the prevalence variation for Tikur Anbessa as compared to clients who have minor and moderate
Specialized Referral Hospital was the first thing was the injury (AOR = 9, 95% CI;7-15.4). The finding of the study
duration of the study done for only three months dura- was supported by a study done at a Tertiary Hospital in
tion and also it was area specific which were done in the Kenya [6]. and at Bugando Medical Centre in North-
emergency department. western Tanzania as reported as a High mortality rate
On the contrary, the prevalence of road traffic acci- was recorded in patients with severe trauma at admis-
dents was lower than in the study done in the Emergency sion [22]. Finally, road traffic victims having a Glasgow
Department of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hos- coma scale of 3–8 were five times more likely to die as
pital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the prevalence was compared to road traffic victims having a Glasgow coma
reported as 74% [19]. The variation of the prevalence scale of 9–12 and 13–15 (AOR = 5.2,95% CI; 1.4–20). This
for this study might be due to the study area where con- result was supported by a study done in Jimma Ethiopia
ducted in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, the most transportation- [8]. This states that patients with low GCS are highly lia-
covered area since the town is the capital city of Ethiopia. ble for a bad outcome that could be due to major organ
The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia (84.4%) [20], in failure, especially severe head injury.
Vellore district, southern India (73%) [21], and, in Dire- Regarding factors associated with disabilities related to
dawa, Eastern Ethiopia (80%) [22]. road traffic accident victims.
Regarding associated factors, road traffic accident vic- The current study discovered that unstable vital signs
tims who have unstable vital signs at admission are six at admission (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI; 2.1–6.8) was nearly
times more likely to die as compared to clients who have 4 times more likely to develop a physical disability, this
stable vital signs (AOR = 6.4, 95%CI; 2.5–16.6). Associ- study results in line with the study done in Dar es Salaam,
ated between unstable vital signs and death among trau- Tanzania [25]. The other concern related to road traffic
matic patients was reported in a study done at the Adult victims who Don’t get pre-Hospital treatment were nearly
Emergency Department of Tikur Anbessa specialized three times more likely to develop functional disability as
hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which states that sys- compared to road traffic victims who got pre-hospital
tolic blood pressure which is one of the vital signs was treatment (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI; 1.4–5.7) this finding was
a statistically significant predictor of fatalities among supported by the study done in Tikur Anbessa special-
the road traffic victims [7]. Moreover clients unable to ized hospital, emergency department [26]. as stated
gate pre Hospital treatment have nine times more likely as It is obvious that primary prevention is the best way
to die as compared to client gate pre Hospital treatment to avoid or to reduce rates of death or disability from a
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 9 of 12

Table 4 Bivariable and multivariate logistic regression results among road traffic accidents admitted patients at Dessie Town
governmental hospital Northeast, Ethiopia 2022 (n = 377)
Treatment outcome, improved as base outcome
Improved Death Disabled Death P-Value Disabled p-
COR (95%,CI) AOR COR (95%,CI) AOR (95%,CI) val-
(95%,CI) ue
Sex
Female 50 54 36 1 1
(35.7%) (38.6%) (25.7%)
Male 101 (42.6%) 61 75 0.56 0.5(0.22-1.18%) 0.11 1.03(0.61- 1.73) 1(0.48-2.06) 1.00
(25.7%) (31.7%) (0.34.92)
Age
<=20years 58 (38.4%) 39 24 (21.6%) 1.06 (0.50-2.21%) 2.5(0.37- 17.84) 0.33 0.37(0.18.75) 0.59(1.44- 2.24) 0.59
(33.9%)
21–40 years 66 (43.7%) 59 57 (51.4%) 1.42(0.7-2.9) 1(0.29 − 3.5%) 0.98 0.77(0.41- 1.45) 0.62(0.25-1.55) 0.62
(51.3%)
>40 years 27(17.9%) 17 30 (27%) 1 1
(14.8%)
Marital status
Single 85(56.3%) 73 90 1.35 3.35(0.76-14.59) 0.1 3.3(1.85.5.9) 2.5(0.85 − 7.3) 0.09
(63.5%) (81.1%) (0.8-2.2)
Married 66(43.7% 42 21 1 1
(36.5%) (18.9%)
Education status
Unable to read 35(23.2%) 18(15.7%) 21(18.9%) 0.44(0.21-0.9) 0.54(0.16 − 1.8) 0.32 0.45(0.23-0.89) 0.21(0.07–0.58) 0.27
and write
Primary school 77 52(45.2%) 38(34.2%) 0.45(0.22-0.89) 0.9(0.32 − 2.6) 0.87 0.37(0.21-0.65) 0.7(0.32-1.67) 0.41
(51%)
Secondary 39(25.8%) 45(39.1%) 52(46.8%) 1 1
school and
above
Residence
Urban 85(56.3%) 77(67%) 74(66.7%) 1.57(0.95 − 2.60) 0.75(0.34 − 1.6) 0.46 1.55(0.93 − 2.5) 1.48(0.77 − 2.8) 0.23
Rural 66(43.7%) 38(33%) 37(33.3%) 1 1
Occupation
Daily labor 52(34.4%) 36(31.3%) 33(29.7%) 0.79(0.46 − 1.3) 0.95(0.34—2.6) 0.95 1(0.57 − 1.7)
Civil servant 18(11.9%) 8(7%) 27(24.3%) 0.5(0.2-1.2) 0.66(0.14-2.99) 0.59 2.3(1.1–4.75)
Unemployed 81(53.6%) 71(61.7%) 51(45.1%) 1 1
Name of Hospitals
Boru media GH 39(25.8%) 33(34.4%) 24(25%) 0.8 (0.5-1.5) 1.1(0.42 − 2.9) 0.81 1.2(0.7-2.2) 0.89 (0.43 − 1.8) 0.76
Dessie CSH 112(74.2%) 82(71.3%) 87(78.4%) 1 1
Vital sign at admission
Stable 128(84.8%) 28(24.3%) 66(59.5%) 1 1
unstable 23(15.2%) 87(75.7%) 45 (40.5% 17.2(9.3 (31.9) 3.5(1.9–7.8) 6.4(2-16.6) 0.000 3.79(2.1–6.8) 0.002
Pre Hospital
treatment
Yes 122(56.2%) 23(20%) 72(64.9%) 1 1
No 29(19.2%) 92(80%) 39(35.1%) 16 0.8(9.1–31) 9.3(4–20) 0.000 2.2(1.29–3.99) 2.8(1.4–5.7) 0.004
GCS
3–8 36(23.8%) 78(67.8%) 44(39.6%) 13 (5.9–29.7) 5.2(1.4–20) 0.001 5(2.4–10.9%) 1.8(0.6-5.4) 0.26
9–12 60(39.7%) 28(24.3%) 54(48.6%) 2.8 (1.2–6.5) 4.7(0.9–17) 0.09 3(1.8–7.7) 1.6(0.6-4.4) 0.32
13–15 55(36.9%) 9(7.8%) 13(11.7%) 1 1
Management
type
Medical Rx 91(60.3%) 36(31.3%) 63 (56.8%) 0.3(0.18-0.50) 0.3(0.13-0.75) 0.09 0.86(0.52 − 1.4) 0.5(0.28 − 1.1) 0.101
Surgical Rx 60(39.7. 79(68.7%) 48(43.2%) 1 1
6%)
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 10 of 12

Table 4 (continued)
Treatment outcome, improved as base outcome
Improved Death Disabled Death P-Value Disabled p-
COR (95%,CI) AOR COR (95%,CI) AOR (95%,CI) val-
(95%,CI) ue
Length of hospital stay
Less than one 57(37.7%) 100(87%) 11(9.9%) 1 1
month
One –two 45(29.8%) 7(6.1%) 52(46.8%) 0.09(0.04-0.21) 0.15(0.5-0.45) 0.001 5(2.3–10.8) 6(2.3–15 0.000
months
Greater than 2 49(32.5%) 8(7%) 48(43.2%) 0.09(0.03-0.21) 0.12(0.04-0.38) 0.000 5(2.8–12.8) 6.5(2.5–17) 0.000
months
Body region injured
Head, neck 43(28.5%) 48(41.7%) 7(6.3%) 0.09(0.41-0.21) 0.85(0.27 − 2.6) 0.78 5(2.3–10.8) 0.18(0.06-0.5) 0.002
injuries
Central body 51(33.8%) 37(32.2%) 49(44.1%) 0.089(0.038-0.21) 0.72(0.26 − 2 0.53 5.9(2.8–12.7) 1.6(0.82 − 3.4) 0.151
injuries
Extremities in- 57(37.7%) 30(26.1%) 55(49.5%) 1 1
juries included
fracture
Degree of injury
Sever 50(33.6%) 79 (53%) 20(13.4%) 8.69(3.4–22) 9(7-15.4 0.001 0.28(0.142-0.56 0.3(0.6-0.84 0.12
moderate 68(47.9%) 30(21.1%) 44 (31%) 2.42 (0.92 − 6.4) 1.5(0.95 − 3.4 0.56 0.45(0.25-0.81) 0.4(0.58 − 6) 0.34
Minor 33(38.4%) 6(7%) 47(54.7%) 1 1
COR = P value ≤ 0.25 variables were exported to multivariate multi nominal logistic regression AOR = P Value ≤ 0.05 show significant association

life-threatening injury. Moreover, Hospital stay for one and victims having a Glasgow coma scale of 3–8, and
to two months duration (AOR = 6,95% CI; 2.3–15) and Hospital stay for more than one month duration. Better
greater than two months duration (AOR = 6.5,95% CI; treatment outcome including disabilities free road traffic
2.5–17) were nearly seven times more likely to develop victims.
physical disability as compared to clients who stay in hos- It is better incorporated in routine follow up on com-
pital Less than one-month duration among road traffic munity awareness program on rood traffic safety. To
accident Victims this founding was supported by a study assess Magnitude and outcome of Road traffic accident
done in China as state that performance of daily activities among Patients Admitted to Dessie town Governmen-
were associated with prolonged hospital stay [27]. tal Hospitals, are better evaluated in prospective study
design.
Limitation
Abbreviations
Since the current study was cross-sectional, this is weak AOR Adjusted Odds Ratio
to evaluate the cause–effect relationship also the current BSC Bachelor of Sciences
study depending to the client’s chart review some impor- CI Confidence Interval
GCS Glasgow Coma Scale
tant information like the victim’s time spent before rich RTA Road Traffic Accident
to the hospital and substance use was difficult to access. RTI Road Traffic Injuries
WHO World Health Organization

Conclusion
The findings of this study showed that the magnitude of Supplementary Information
road traffic accidents was found to be 59%. Unstable vital The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.
org/10.1186/s12873-024-01047-1.
signs at admission, Don’t getting pre-Hospital treatment,
Hospital stay for one to two months duration, and greater Supplementary Material 1
than two months duration were associated.
Acknowledgements
Recommendation First I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Wollo University College
The health care providers working in the respective ward of Medicine and Health Sciences community and research office for creating
a good opportunity. Next to this, I give Special thanks to Dessie Town a
and unit care service better give strong attention to road governmental hospital administrates, card room staffs, and health informatics
traffic victims those having unstable vital signs at admis- staffs for providing all the necessary data to do this thesis. Finally I greatly
sion, unable to get pre Hospital treatment, sever injury, thank my friends for their constructive comments.
Degu et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2024) 24:138 Page 11 of 12

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FSD, wrote the study, analysis, interpretation and final approval to final version and management outcome in Adama Hospital Medical College, Central
to published AHE, SAA, NGM, were made figures MGK, MWS, and MKH, were Ethiopia. Pan Afr Med J. 2021;38(1).
wrote tables, and ADL, MAG and Dr. PK participated in data collection. 11. World Health Organization. (2013). Strengthening road safety legislation: a
practice and resource manual for countries.
Funding 12. Afolabi OJ, Gbadamosi K. Road traffic accidents in Nigeria: causes and conse-
This research did not get any fund. quences. Transp Logistics: Int J. 2017;17(42):2406–1069.
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Data availability knowledge, attitude, practices and their associated factors among dessie city
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the Corresponding author upon reasonable request. Policy. 2021;14:439–51. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S287600.
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The study was approved by the Research Ethical Review Committee (IRERC) ated factors among traumatic patients attending Emergency Department
of the School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Permission of Dessie City Government hospitals. Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional
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