Epidemiology of Trauma Presenting to the Emergency Medicine Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Abstract

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Background: Trauma is a global burden increasing worldwide.

Objective: To determine the epidemiology of trauma at the emergency medicine department (ED) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

Method: A prospective descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized and it was conducted over 6 months from September 2025 to February 2026.

Result: The number of trauma patients in this study is 459, with 317 (67%) males; 426(92.8%) were conscious, 450 (98.0%) were named, that is, they had a form of identity. The majority of the patients were aged 21-30years, 125 (27.2%). The most common mechanism of injury was road traffic Accident (RTA) 213(46.4%) and Assault 107 (23.3%). Most of the RTA victims were pedestrians, 128 (60.1%). Most of the RTAs were car/bus –car/bus 18 (21.2%), motorcycle–motorcycle 17 (20.0%), and the vehicle car, bus, motorcycle, and tricycle did not hit anything 17(20.0%), and the lower limb 109 (21.1%) were the commonest part of the body that sustained injury. Most of the patients 195 (42.5%) were discharged within 24 hours, and sadly, 8 (1.8%) died.

Conclusion: Males were more victims of trauma compared to females, and the majority of the trauma victims were young adults. RTA is the commonest mechanism of injury. Most of the injuries sustained were in the lower limbs, and most of the patients were discharged home within 24 hours.