Predictors of medical cost and length of stay of motorcycle injury patients presenting to hospitals in Kisumu City, Kenya.

BACKGROUND

Motorcycle crash injuries (MCIs) cause mortality and exert financial cost, globally. However, there is paucity of information on cost and length of stay of motorcycle injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To assess factors influencing medical costs and length of stay (LOS) of motorcycle crash injuries presenting in hospitals in Kisumu city.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study in which all 1073 motorcycle injury cases were enrolled over a period of six months. A pre-tested, questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), logistic regression and multivariable regression analysis. P-value < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 1073 motorcycle injury visits were made to the hospitals during the study period of which 46.0% were admitted. The total medical cost for motorcycle injury patients was Kshs. 19, 134,877 (USD 191348.77). The mean LOS was 19.8 days (1-235 days). Injuries requiring surgical intervention, higher injury severity score, and helmet non-use were significantly associated with higher medical cost and length of stay.

CONCLUSION

Motorcycle injuries are a major cause of hospital use and present significant economic burden. Surgical intervention, injury severity and non-helmet use were the major predictors of length of stay and medical costs.