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Alolayan H, Aljohani M, Alfehaid M, AlMatroudi G, AlDhowyan N, AlQathlan J, AlSuhaibani S, AlShamikh T, AlJohani G, AlSalamah A, AlRashidi H. Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on General Surgical Emergencies in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Single-Center Retrospective Chart Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e43630. [PMID: 37719613 PMCID: PMC10504863 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study sought to determine the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination's effects on the number of patients presenting with emergent surgical illnesses or requiring emergency general surgical procedures. We compared the number of presenting cases and surgical emergencies before the pandemic, in 2019, and during the pandemic, before and after the COVID-19 vaccination's introduction. Method This observational retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The data were retrospectively collected for three periods (July 1 to September 30) in 2019, 2020, and 2021 using a data collection sheet for demographic data, visit date, comorbidities, emergency procedure type, COVID-19 test result, length of hospitalization, ICU admission status, and surgical case mortality. Results The study included 152 participants with a mean age of 36.1 (SD: 16) years, and 69.7% of them were male. Common surgical conditions were identified as acute appendicitis (49.3%), skin abscesses and pilonidal sinus (21.7%), and diabetic foot (9.2%) across all three years. The most frequent (48.7%) surgical procedure was appendectomy. A decrease in surgical emergencies rate was observed during the year 2020, as compared to 2019 and 2021. The general surgery emergency rate was highest in 2021 among patients admitted for procedures post-vaccination (38.8%). Conclusion Common surgical emergencies were most frequent in 2021, after the COVID-19 vaccine's introduction. Future research areas include the impact of the pandemic on delays or the severity and complication of surgical or medical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayfa Alolayan
- Department of Surgery, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Moath Aljohani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Mohammed Alfehaid
- Department of Surgery, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Ghadi AlMatroudi
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Noura AlDhowyan
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Joud AlQathlan
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Shoug AlSuhaibani
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Tahani AlShamikh
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Ghadeer AlJohani
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Anwaar AlSalamah
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Hanadi AlRashidi
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
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Bulabula JKG, Ogunrombi AB, Molefe MB, Magumbeze V, Kumasamba KYG. The impact of the South African Covid-19 lockdown on incidence and severity of traumatic brain injury at Tshepong hospital: A multivariate retrospective cohort study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16906. [PMID: 37292296 PMCID: PMC10239285 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Globally traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the leading cause of death in people under the age of 45. 2020 saw a series of social lockdowns as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to unveil the impact of the different levels of lockdown on TBI incidence at Tshepong Hospital. Method A retrospective review of patients with TBIs during the first 30 days of each of the 5 lockdown levels, between 1st of April -20th October 2020 was conducted. Each lockdown level was compared to a control of a similar period in 2019. Results Level 5 lockdown resulted in a 66% reduction in total incidence of TBI, with a decrease in the daily incidence median value to 0 when compared to its control group median of 1 (P-value 0.004). However, Level 3 and 2 resulted in a significant 133% and 200% increase respectively in TBI incidence for similar period the year before.There was a 0,75% decrease in total trauma during the non-lockdown periods in relation to the lock down periods with a lockdown mean incidence of 53,4 (std Dev. 26.6) and non-lockdown mean of 53 (std Dev 20.8). Conclusion The cumulative effect of the lockdowns made miniscule changes in the overall TBI incidence but led to significant variation in TBI incidence in the comparative months. A "rebound trauma" phenomena is observed in transitioning from severe social restrictions to milder ones with unemployment and unbanning of alcohol as possible contributary factors. Further studies are needed to investigate these complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse K G Bulabula
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Akin B Ogunrombi
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Mxolisi B Molefe
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Victor Magumbeze
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Kevin Y G Kumasamba
- Department of Business Science, Faculty of Commerce, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Shen BS, Cheng WY, Liang ZR, Tang Q, Li KY. Impact of lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak on a trauma center of a tertiary hospital in China. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:2237-2245. [PMID: 37122529 PMCID: PMC10131008 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i10.2237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major and costly public health emergency.
AIM To investigate the impact of China’s lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak on the level I trauma center of a tertiary comprehensive hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
METHODS All patients admitted to our trauma center during a lockdown in 2020 and the same period in 2019 were enrolled. We collected data on demographics, daily visits, injury type, injury mechanism, injury severity score, and patient management for comparative analysis.
RESULTS The total number of patients in the trauma center of our hospital decreased by 50.38% during the COVID-19 Lockdown in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The average number of trauma visits per day in 2019 was 47.94, compared to 23.79 in 2020. Comparing the patients’ demographic data, loss of employment was the most predominate characteristic in 2020 compared to 2019, while there was no significant difference in gender, age, and marital status between both periods. During the lockdown period, the proportion of traffic accident-related injuries, injuries due to falls greater than 1.5 m, and mechanical injuries decreased significantly, whereas the proportion of injuries caused by falls less than 1.5 m, cuts, assault, bites, and suicidal tendencies and other injuries increased relatively. In addition, the proportion of patients with minor injuries increased and serious injuries decreased during the lockdown. The hospitalization rate increased significantly, and there was no significant difference in emergency surgery and death rates.
CONCLUSION The lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak significantly altered the number and mechanism of traumatic events in our hospital, which can be monitored regularly. Our results suggest that mandatory public health prevention and control measures by the government can reduce the incidence of traumatic events and the severity of traumatic injuries. Emergency surgery and mortality rates remain high, increased because of factors such as family injury and penetrating injury, and hospitalization rates have increased significantly. Therefore, our trauma center still needs to be fully staffed. Finally, from the perspective of the injury mechanism, indoor trauma is a major risk during a lockdown, and it is particularly important to develop prevention strategies for such trauma to reduce the medical burden of the next catastrophic epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Sheng Shen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Yin Cheng
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhang-Rong Liang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qi Tang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kuang-Yi Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
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Alharbi RJ, Al-Jafar R, Chowdhury S, Rahman MA, Almuwallad A, Alshibani A, Lewis V. Impact of easing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on traumatic injuries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: one-year experience at a major trauma centre. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:22. [PMID: 36600205 PMCID: PMC9812537 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-14981-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the number of injuries recorded. However, little is known about the impact of easing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on the nature and outcome of injuries. This study aims to compare injury patterns prior to and after the easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Saudi Arabia. METHOD Data were collected retrospectively from the Saudi TraumA Registry for the period between March 25, 2019, and June 21, 2021. These data corresponded to three periods: March 2019-February 2020 (pre-restrictions, period 1), March 2020-June 2020 (lockdown, period 2), and July 2020-June 2021 (post easing of restrictions, period 3). Data related to patients' demographics, mechanism and severity of injury, and in-hospital mortality were collected and analysed. RESULTS A total of 5,147 traumatic injury patients were included in the analysis (pre-restrictions n = 2593; lockdown n = 218; post easing of lockdown restrictions n = 2336). An increase in trauma cases (by 7.6%) was seen in the 30-44 age group after easing restrictions (n = 648 vs. 762, p < 0.01). Motor vehicle crashes (MVC) were the leading cause of injury, followed by falls in all the three periods. MVC-related injuries decreased by 3.1% (n = 1068 vs. 890, p = 0.03) and pedestrian-related injuries decreased by 2.7% (n = 227 vs. 143, p < 0.01); however, burn injuries increased by 2.2% (n = 134 vs. 174, p < 0.01) and violence-related injuries increased by 0.9% (n = 45 vs. 60, p = 0.05) post easing of lockdown restrictions. We observed an increase in in-hospital mortality during the period of 12 months after easing of lockdown restrictions-4.9% (114/2336) compared to 12 months of pre-lockdown period-4.3% (113/2593). CONCLUSION This is one of the first studies to document trauma trends over a one-year period after easing lockdown restrictions. MVC continues to be the leading cause of injuries despite a slight decrease; overall injury cases rebounded towards pre-lockdown levels in Saudi Arabia. Injury prevention needs robust legislation with respect to road safety measures and law enforcement that can decrease the burden of traumatic injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Jafnan Alharbi
- grid.411831.e0000 0004 0398 1027Department of Emergency Medical Service, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, 45142, Al Maarefah Rd, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rami Al-Jafar
- grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK ,Department of Data Services, Lean Business Services, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sharfuddin Chowdhury
- grid.415998.80000 0004 0445 6726Trauma Center, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Aziz Rahman
- grid.1040.50000 0001 1091 4859School of Health, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC Australia
| | - Ateeq Almuwallad
- grid.411831.e0000 0004 0398 1027Department of Emergency Medical Service, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, 45142, Al Maarefah Rd, Jazan, Saudi Arabia ,grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Centre for Trauma Science, Blizard Institute Queen Mary University, London, UK
| | - Abdullah Alshibani
- grid.412149.b0000 0004 0608 0662Department of Emergency Medical Services, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin, Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ,grid.452607.20000 0004 0580 0891King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Virginia Lewis
- grid.1018.80000 0001 2342 0938Australia Institute for Primary Care and Ageing (AIPCA), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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Pisl V, Vevera J, Štěpánek L, Volavka J. Changes in ambulance departures for assault calls during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Aggress Behav 2023; 49:76-84. [PMID: 36305480 PMCID: PMC9874533 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Restrictions related to COVID-19 changed the daily behavior of people, including the expression of violence. Although an increased incidence of violent behavior, especially domestic violence, was expected during the pandemic, retrospective analyses have yielded mixed results. Records of ambulance departures to address injuries caused by assaults in the Pilsen region, Czech Republic, during the restrictive measures during the national state of emergency were compared to data from 3 previous years using general linear models. The number and severity of assaults were analyzed for the whole sample and separately for patients of either sex, for residential or nonresidential locations, and for domestic violence. Controlling for the seasonal effects, the number of assaults decreased by 39% during the pandemic restrictions compared to the 3 previous years. No difference was found between the effects of restrictions on assaults resulting in an injury of a male or female patient. The decrease was specifically pronounced in the sample of assaults in nonresidential locations, while no effect of restrictions was observed in assaults in residential locations and domestic assaults. Pandemic restrictions were associated with a decreased incidence of violent assaults that required ambulance services. Although the incidence decreased especially in those assaulted outside of their homes, we found no support for an increase in domestic violence or violence against women. Pandemic restrictions may have served as a protective rather than a risk factor for assaults severe enough to warrant a call for ambulance services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtech Pisl
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in PilsenCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic
| | - Jan Vevera
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in PilsenCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic,Department of PsychiatryInstitute for Postgraduate Medical EducationPragueCzech Republic
| | - Lubomír Štěpánek
- Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, First Faculty of MedicineCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic
| | - Jan Volavka
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in PilsenCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic,Department of Psychiatry, School of MedicineNew York University (Emeritus)New YorkNew YorkUSA
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Kang S, Park JE, Ko JW, Kim MJ, Choi YU, Shim H, Bae KS, Kim K. Outcomes improvement despite continuous visits of severely injured patients during the COVID-19 outbreak: experience at a regional trauma centre in South Korea. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:167. [PMID: 36203133 PMCID: PMC9540133 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00726-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the changes in characteristics of patients who visited trauma centres during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is important to facilitate aneffective response. This retrospective study was conducted to analyse differences in the characteristics and outcomes of patients who visited our trauma centre between pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras. Methods Medical data of trauma patients enrolled in the Korean trauma database from 1 January 2018 to 31 August 2021 were collected. The number of trauma centre visits, patient characteristics, factors associated with in-hospital intervention, and outcomes werecompared between patients in the two time periods. Propensity score matching was performed to analyse the outcomes in patients with similar characteristics and severitybetween patients in the two time periods. Results The number of emergency department (ED) trauma service visits reduced in the COVID-19 era. Based on the mean age, the patients were older in the COVID-19 era. Abbreviated injury scale (AIS) 1, AIS3, AIS5, and injury severity score (ISS) were higher in the COVID-19 era. The proportion of motor vehicle collisions decreased, whereas falls increased during the COVID-19 era. Ambulance transportation, admission to the general ward, and time from injury to ED visit significantly increased. Patient outcomes, such as hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and duration of mechanical ventilation improved, while injury severity worsened during the COVID-19 era. After adjusting for patient characteristics and severity, similar findings were observed. Conclusion The small reduction in the number of trauma patients and visits by patients who hadhigher ISS during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of maintaining trauma service capacity and capability during the pandemic. A nationwide or nationalmulticentre study will be more meaningful to examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the changes in trauma patterns, volume, and patient outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-022-00726-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooyeon Kang
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, 26426, Korea
| | - Ji Eun Park
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, 26426, Korea
| | - Ji Wool Ko
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Regional Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Wonju Severance Pelvic Bone Research Group, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung Jun Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Regional Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Wonju Severance Pelvic Bone Research Group, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Un Choi
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Regional Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Wonju Severance Pelvic Bone Research Group, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongjin Shim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Regional Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Wonju Severance Pelvic Bone Research Group, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Keum Seok Bae
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Regional Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangmin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea. .,Regional Trauma Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea. .,Wonju Severance Pelvic Bone Research Group, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Ilsan-ro 20, 26426, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea. .,Center of Evidence Based Medicine, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
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Alsofayan YM, Alghnam SA, Alkhorisi AM, Almalki HA, Alsaihani MD, Almazroa MA, Alharbi AK, Hajjam RM, Alhajjaj FS, Alowais JM. Epidemiology of Traffic Injuries before, during and 1 Year after the COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions: National Findings from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. SAUDI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 10:111-116. [PMID: 35602391 PMCID: PMC9121700 DOI: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_59_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Background Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Studies have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traffic injuries treated in healthcare institutions, but its impact on patients seeking emergency medical transport for traffic injuries remains unclear. Objective This study aimed to determine changes in traffic injuries' distribution and outcomes among patients seeking emergency medical transport before, during, and after the COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a nationwide retrospective study of all injuries reported to the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) between January 1st, 2020, and May 31st, 2021. The cases in the study were categorized based on the following three time periods: (1) Pre-restriction (January 1 to March 23, 2020), (2) restriction (March 24 to June 21, 2020), and (3) post-restriction (June 22, 2020, to May 31, 2021). Results A total of 142,763 cases of traffic-related injuries were recorded at the SRCA during the study period: pre-restriction, 27,811 (19.5%); restriction, 14,414 (10.1%); post-restriction, 100,538 (70.4%). Males accounted for most cases throughout the study period, but a significant increase in the number of females was observed in the post-restriction period compared with the first two timeframes (12.2% vs. 3.4% and 3.4%, respectively; P < 0.01). During the restriction period, the rate of mortality was the highest, and rollover crashes were significantly higher (18.2% vs. 14.0% and 14.6%; P < 0.01). Overall, pedestrians were almost three times more likely to die following injuries than occupants or drivers (OR = 2.7). Conclusions Further prevention programs to reduce traffic injuries are needed to improve traffic safety and improve population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef M. Alsofayan
- Executive Directorate of Medical Affairs, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman A. Alghnam
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University For Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad M. Alkhorisi
- Operation Center, Public Health Agency, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani A. Almalki
- Department of Public Health, Preventive Medicine Administration, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed D. Alsaihani
- Department of Risk Management, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Monerah A. Almazroa
- Executive Directorate of Medical Affairs, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah K. Alharbi
- Executive Directorate of Operational Affairs, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roaa M. Hajjam
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Fahad S. Alhajjaj
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jalal M. Alowais
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Prabhakar Abhilash K, D'Silva R, Kola A, Vijay J, Jacob M, Selvaraj B, Joseph J. Impact of lockdown and unlocking on symptomatology and emergency department visits during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. J Family Med Prim Care 2022; 11:976-981. [PMID: 35495828 PMCID: PMC9051679 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1253_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a complete nationwide lockdown on March 24, 2020. The months of April and May had stringent lockdown measures followed by a gradual loosening of restrictions in a graded manner. Methods: This observational study was performed in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital in south India triage Priority 1 and Priority 2 patients presented during the COVID-19 lockdown and unlock periods spanning from April 2020 to August 2020. The three different lockdown periods and the subsequent unlock periods were categorized as lockdown 1 (LD1), lockdown 2 (LD2), lockdown 3 (LD3), and unlock phase (UL), and a 7-day time period in each were taken for 7-day incidence analysis. Results: During the 5-month study period, a total of 1,954 patients were analyzed for the study that included 405, 440, 492, and 617 patients during the 7-day time periods in the LD1, LD2, LD3, and UL periods, respectively. The 7-day incidence of COVID-19 suspects increased significantly by 101.9% from LD1 to UL phases, whereas trauma cases increased by 52.9% in the same two time periods. Compared with LD1, in the UL phase, the 7-day ED admission and in-hospital mortality rates increased by 50.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The number of COVID-19 suspects saw a near-constant increase through the different phases of lockdown, culminating in the UL phase. The stringent lockdown measures resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of trauma with a rebound increase in the UL phase.
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Moussavi N, Abdorrahim-Kashi E, Azadchehr M, Aminipour M, Talari H, Ghafoor L, Abedzadeh-Kalahroudi M. General surgery admissions, operations, and patient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. ARCHIVES OF TRAUMA RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/atr.atr_42_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease characterised by symptoms that are like the common cold. The current pandemic situation in anticipation of a vaccine has posed serious threats to the health and economic sectors of countries worldwide. To overcome the quick transmission of the virus, the government of Australia has also taken drastic measures to prevent its spread. These policies include an international and interstate travel ban, social distancing rules, lockdown, shutdown of educational institutes and work-from-home policies. Such rules have affected people on both behavioural and psychological levels. This study aims to analyse the effect of COVID-19 on Australian citizens, and therefore, the changed behaviour of citizens concerning their mobility patterns, transport preferences and shopping methods under the pandemic have been studied. A detailed literature search was adopted for gathering data related to the study theme, along with real-time evidence of changes in the behaviour of people following the pandemic. The socioeconomic impact of the pandemic on social inequality and thereby the effect on the vulnerable people of the population are also studied. Authentic surveys and statistical data are consulted to figure out how the new lifestyle choices of people will linger in the post-pandemic era. It was found that people in Australia have adopted the work-from-home regime, and new habits suiting the nationwide restrictions have become routine for many people.
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