Ngu Claudia Ngeha, Shete Priya, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Tanue Elvis Asangbeng, Tendongfor Nicholas, Oke Rasheedat, Bassah Nahyeni, Ukah Chrisantus Eweh, McCoy Sandra I, Juillard Catherine, Mefire Alain Chichom, Halle Ekane Edie Gregory
Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
medRxiv. 2025 Jun 11:2025.06.10.25329319. doi: 10.1101/2025.06.10.25329319.
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major global public health concern, often leading to serious physical and psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A limited understanding of specific RTI patient characteristics particularly regarding PTSD screening recommendation and uptake in Cameroon hinders, the development of effective PTSD management strategies. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile of RTI patients in Fako Division, Cameroon, to inform the development of tailored PTSD management interventions.
A chart review of medical records of RTI patients received between 2019 and 2023 was conducted from July 30 2024 to August 30 2024 at three hospitals in Fako Division, Cameroon: Buea Regional Hospital, Saint Luke Hospital Buea, and Limbe Regional Hospital. A data extraction form was used to collect demographic information, injury characteristics, and PTSD screening recommendations and uptake. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were used for data analysis. The data was analysed in SPSS version 25.
A total of 4218 RTI patients were received and managed at the three hospitals during the study period. Patients were predominantly male, 2937(69.6%). The age group of 26-35 years recorded the highest proportion, 1339(31.7%). The median age of patients was 28 years (interquartile range: 22-37). Students, 820(19.4%) were among the most involved in RTIs. Only 59(11.0%) out of the 534(12.7%) hospitalized patients after RTIs were recommended for PTSD screening, and only 26(44.1%) underwent PTSD screening. Lower limbs, 2136(50.6%), and upper limbs, 1639(38.9%) were the most affected location for the traumatic injury. In-hospital mortality was recorded in 27(5.1%) of the patients. Means of transportation of patient to the hospital, (=0.050), pain medication given (=0.024), sedative given (= 0.001), surgery performed (=0.005), psychotherapy recommended (=0.001) and transfusion performed (=<0.001) were significantly associated with recommendation for PTSD screening. A statistically significant association was found between PTSD screening uptake and recommendation for psychotherapy (=0.010).
Few patients were recommended for PTSD screening and uptake was low. This indicates a significant gap in access to PTSD and mental health services for RTI patients in Fako. PTSD screening uptake was significantly associated with recommendation for psychotherapy. Findings provide information for developing tailored PTSD management strategies and improving patients' outcomes in this region.
道路交通伤害（RTIs）是全球主要的公共卫生问题，常常导致严重的身体和心理后果，包括创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）。对喀麦隆道路交通伤害患者的具体特征，尤其是关于创伤后应激障碍筛查建议和接受情况的了解有限，这阻碍了有效的创伤后应激障碍管理策略的制定。本研究旨在确定喀麦隆法科省道路交通伤害患者的流行病学概况，为制定针对性的创伤后应激障碍管理干预措施提供依据。
2024年7月30日至8月30日，在喀麦隆法科省的三家医院——布埃亚地区医院、布埃亚圣卢克医院和林贝地区医院，对2019年至2023年期间接收的道路交通伤害患者的病历进行了回顾性分析。使用数据提取表收集人口统计学信息、损伤特征以及创伤后应激障碍筛查建议和接受情况。采用描述性统计和卡方检验进行数据分析。数据在SPSS 25版本中进行分析。
在研究期间，三家医院共接收并管理了4218例道路交通伤害患者。患者以男性为主，共2937例（69.6%）。年龄在26 - 35岁的人群占比最高，为1339例（31.7%）。患者的中位年龄为28岁（四分位间距：22 - 37岁）。学生中有820例（19.4%）是道路交通伤害的主要受害者群体之一。在534例（12.7%）道路交通伤害后住院的患者中，只有59例（11.0%）被建议进行创伤后应激障碍筛查，且只有26例（44.1%）接受了创伤后应激障碍筛查。下肢创伤2136例（50.6%）和上肢创伤1639例（38.9%）是创伤性损伤最常累及的部位。27例（5.1%）患者在住院期间死亡。患者前往医院的交通方式（P = 0.050）、给予的止痛药物（P = 0.024）、给予的镇静剂（P = 0.001）、进行的手术（P = 0.005）、建议的心理治疗（P = 0.001）以及进行的输血（P＜0.001）与创伤后应激障碍筛查建议显著相关。在创伤后应激障碍筛查接受情况与心理治疗建议之间发现了统计学上的显著关联（P = 0.010）。
很少有患者被建议进行创伤后应激障碍筛查，且接受率较低。这表明法科省道路交通伤害患者在获得创伤后应激障碍和心理健康服务方面存在显著差距。创伤后应激障碍筛查接受情况与心理治疗建议显著相关。研究结果为制定针对性的创伤后应激障碍管理策略和改善该地区患者的治疗效果提供了信息。
