Comparative Assessment of the Burden of Injury in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis of Estimates From Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study.

Objectives Surgical care for traumatic injuries remains a major concern to public health in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes rising inequalities in global health. The objectives of this study were to compare the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 estimates on injury mortality and disability across sub-Saharan sub-regions by cause-of-injury category. Methods We performed a secondary database descriptive study using the GBD 2021 results on injuries in the four sub-Saharan regions. The age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the sub-regions were assessed over a 10-year duration between 2012 and 2021. Results In 2021, the overall burden of injury is estimated to have affected over 42 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Although 16 percent of this number is in Nigeria, population data suggests that southern sub-Saharan Africa records 104 deaths per 100,000 from injuries [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 96 to 113] which is twice as high compared to western sub-Saharan Africa (50 injury deaths per 100,000; 95% UI 37 to 61). Within the 10-year duration of this study, the injury DALY rates were twice as high in the Southern regions, compared to the Eastern and Western regions. Transport injuries, interpersonal violence, and drowning contributed the most to the burden of injury in sub-Saharan Africa. There is an overall decline in injury-related mortality rates and DALY rates in the region however there is a rise in the rate of police conflicts and executions. Conclusions Although these figures are highest globally, gradual improvements in the 10-year duration of this study were identified but these were slow-paced due to rising rates of police conflicts and executions in sub-Saharan Africa. Overall targeted interventions in communities and regional policy-making efforts are essential tools to create a safer region for the teeming young populace in sub-Saharan Africa.