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Baffour Appiah A, Akweongo P, Sackey SO, Morna MT, Kenu E, Buunaaim ADBI, Debrah SAY, Ojo TK, Donkor P, Mock CN. Effect of different helmet types in head injuries: a case-control study in northern Ghana. Inj Prev 2023; 29:50-55. [PMID: 36198481 DOI: 10.1136/ip-2022-044683] [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: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motorcycle helmet use is low in Ghana and many helmets are non-standard. There are limited data on the effectiveness of the different helmet types in use in the real-world circumstances of low-income and middle-income countries. This study assessed the effect of different helmet types on risk of head injury among motorcycle crash victims in northern Ghana. METHODS A prospective unmatched case-control study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). All persons who had injuries from a motorcycle crash within 2 weeks of presentation to TTH were consecutively sampled. A total of 349 cases, persons who sustained minor to severe head injury, and 363 controls, persons without head injury, were enrolled. A semistructured questionnaire was used to interview patients and review their medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds for head injury. RESULTS After adjusting for confounders, the odds of head injuries were 93% less in motorcyclists with full-face helmet (FFH) (adjusted OR, AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.15) or open-face helmet (OFH) (AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04, 0.13), compared with unhelmeted motorcyclists. Half-coverage helmets (HCH) were less effective (AOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.92). With exception of HCH, the AORs of head injury for the different types of helmets were lower in riders (FFH=0.06, OFH=0.05 and HCH=0.47) than in pillion riders (FFH=0.11, OFH=0.12 and HCH=0.35). CONCLUSION Even in this environment where there is a high proportion of non-standard helmets, the available helmets provided significant protection against head injury, but with considerably less protection provided by HCHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Baffour Appiah
- Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana .,Injury Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricia Akweongo
- Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Samuel Oko Sackey
- Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Martin Tangnaa Morna
- Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Ernest Kenu
- Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,Department of Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | | | - Thomas K Ojo
- Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Peter Donkor
- Department of Surgery, School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Charles N Mock
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Abu-Bonsrah N, Dada OE, Haizel-Cobbina J, Ukachukwu A, Spann M, Adu KO, Banson M, Bandoh D, Sarpong K, Dadey D, Ametefe M, Kanmounye US, Totimeh T, Groves ML. Understanding the Ghanaian Neurosurgical Literature: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis. World Neurosurg 2023; 169:12-19. [PMID: 36265747 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research serves to bolster clinical neurosurgery by critically assessing various disease pathologies, while identifying important challenges and opportunities. However, there is limited information on the landscape of the Ghanaian neurosurgical literature. METHODS A scoping review and bibliometric analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Global Index Medicus, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched from inception until December 21, 2021 for English language articles about neurosurgery in Ghana. RESULTS 927 articles were identified and 66 were ultimately included in the analysis. A majority of them, 42.4%, were retrospective cohort studies, with 62.1% published after 2010. There were no randomized controlled or basic science studies. Most articles were published in the West African Journal of Medicine (24.2%) and non-infectious/non-traumatic spinal pathology was the most commonly discussed topic (22.7%); 66.7% of articles included only authors affiliated with Ghanaian institutions, and international collaborators frequently originated from the United States (15.9%). Only 22.7% of the manuscripts reported a funding source. Commonly reported challenges included limited sample sizes, delays in diagnosis and treatment, and lack of proper diagnostic tools and specialized care. CONCLUSIONS This review revealed that while the Ghanaian academic neurosurgery output has been increasing over time, these have been limited to cohort studies largely assessing spine pathology. The Ghanaian neurosurgical research environment may be bolstered by an increase in research funding, the establishment of longitudinal clinical databases, training in research methodology, increased incentives for researchers, strengthening of research collaborative networks, and increased engagement of neurosurgical trainees in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Abu-Bonsrah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon.
| | | | - Joseline Haizel-Cobbina
- Vanderbilt Institute of Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Alvan Ukachukwu
- Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke Hospital Department of Neurosurgery, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marcus Spann
- Informationist Services, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kojo Okyere Adu
- Department of Internal Medicine, LEKMA Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mabel Banson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dickson Bandoh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Sarpong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Dadey
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mawuli Ametefe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Teddy Totimeh
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ghana Medical Center, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mari L Groves
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Buh FC, Taiwe GS, Maas AI, Motah M, Youm E, Wanyu BY, Wang KW, Hutchinson PJ, Sumbele IUN. Demographics, Causes, and Outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury among Trauma Cases in Cameroon: A Multi-Center Five Year's Retrospective Study. Neurotrauma Rep 2022; 3:569-583. [PMID: 36711440 PMCID: PMC9879018 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2022.0053] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a huge public health challenge worldwide. Epidemiological monitoring is important to inform healthcare policy. We aimed at determining the prevalence, outcome, and causes of TBI in Cameroon by conducting a 5-year retrospective study in three referral trauma centers. Data on demographics, causes, injury mechanisms, clinical aspects, and discharge status were recorded. Comparisons between two categorical variables were done using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 6248 cases of TBI were identified of 18,151 trauma cases, yielding a prevalence of 34%. The number of TBI cases increased across the years (915 in 2016, 1406 in 2020). Demographic data and causes of TBI were available for 6248 subjects and detailed data on clinical characteristics on 2178 subjects. Median age was 30.0 (24.0, 41.0) years. Males were more affected (80%). Road traffic incidents (RTIs; 75%) was the main cause of TBI, with professional bike riders being more affected (17%). Computed tomography (CT) imaging was performed in 67.7% of cases. Of the 597 (27.4%) cases who did not undergo neuroimaging, 311 (52.1%) did not have neuroimaging performed because of financial constraints, among which 7% were severe TBI cases. A total of 341 (19.6%) patients were discharged against medical advice, of which 83% had financial limitations. Mortality was 10.3% (225 of 2178) in the overall population, but disproportionately high in patients with severe TBI (55%) compared to those in high-income settings (27%). TBI occurrence is high in Cameroon, and RTIs are the main causes. Disparities in care provision were identified as attributable to financial constraints regarding CT scanning and continuation of care. The data presented can inform preventive interventions to improve care provision and transport policies. Implementation of a universal health insurance may be expected to improve hospital care and reduce the adverse effects of TBI among Cameroonians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin Chu Buh
- Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Panafrican Hospital Center-Douala, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Germain Sotoing Taiwe
- Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Andrew I.R. Maas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Motah
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | | | - Bertrand Yuwong Wanyu
- Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Kevin W. Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Peter J.A. Hutchinson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele
- Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
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Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Pediatric Mortality and Morbidity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. World Neurosurg 2021; 153:109-130.e23. [PMID: 34166832 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.06.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unknown. To fill this gap, we conducted a review that aimed to characterize the causes of pTBI in LMICs, and their reported associated mortality and morbidity. METHODS A systematic review was conducted. MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, and Global Index Medicus were searched from January 2000 to May 2020. Observational or experimental studies on pTBI of individuals aged between 0 and 16 years in LMICs were included. The causes of pTBI and morbidity data were descriptively analyzed, and case fatality rates were calculated. PROSPERO ID CRD42020171276. RESULTS A total of 136 studies were included. Fifty-seven studies were at high risk of bias. Of the remaining studies, 170,224 cases of pTBI were reported in 32 LMICs. The odds of having a pTBI were 1.8 times higher (95% confidence interval, 1.6-2.0) in males. The odds of a pTBI being mild were 4.4 times higher (95% confidence interval, 1.9-6.8) than a pTBI being moderate or severe. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause (n = 16,275/41,979; 39%) of pTBIs. On discharge, 24% of patients (n = 4385/17,930) had a reduction in their normal mental or physical function. The median case fatality rate was 7.3 (interquartile range, 2.1-7.7). CONCLUSIONS Less than a quarter (n = 32) of all LMICs have published high-quality data on the volume and burden of pTBI. From the limited data available, young male children are at a high risk of pTBIs in LMICs, particularly after road traffic accidents.
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