Introduction: Injuries are the leading cause of disability across all ages and gender. In this study, we
identified predictors of discharge status and disability at discharge among patients who seek emergency
room treatment.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted in two major trauma hospitals in urban Gambia. 1905
patients participated in the study. 74.9% were males, and 25.1% were females. The study includes injured
patients from all mechanisms. However, patients’ records without age, gender, injury mechanism, and
deposition from the emergency room were considered incomplete and excluded. We examined
distributions of injury by age, gender, mechanism, place of occurrence, intent, primary body part injured,
and primary nature of injury. We identified demographic and injury characteristics associated with
hospital admission (compared to emergency department discharge) and discharge disability (any level of
disability compared with none).
Results: The leading mechanisms of injury were road traffic (26.1%), struck by objects (22.1%), cut/pierce
(19.2%), falls (19.2%), and burns (5.4%). Injuries most commonly occurred in the home (36.7%) and on the
road (33.2%). For those aged 19–44, the proportion of injuries due to assault was higher for females
(35.9%)than males (29.7%). Males had increased odds for admission (aOR = 1.48 95% CI = 1.15–1.91) and for
disability (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.06–1.99). Increased odds for admission were found for brain injuries,
fractures, large system injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries when compared with soft tissue injuries.
The highest odds for any level of discharge disability were found for brain injuries, fractures, injuries from
falls, burns, and road traffic.
Conclusions: Epidemiology of injuries in The Gambia is similar to other low-income countries. However,
the magnitude of cases and issues uncovered highlights the need for a formal registry.