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Feasibility of a Cellular Telephone Follow-Up Program After Injury in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Surgery in Low and Middle Income Countries
  • Published:
World Journal of Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Injury disproportionately affects persons in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Most LMIC lack capacity for routine follow-up care, likely resulting in complications and disability. Cellular telephones may provide a new tool to improve health outcomes. The objective of this study was to establish the feasibility of a mobile health follow-up program after injury in Cameroon.

Methods

Between February and October 2017, all injured patients admitted to a regional hospital in Cameroon were asked for mobile phone numbers as part of an existing trauma registry. Patients were contacted 2 weeks after leaving the hospital discharge to participate in a short triage survey. Data on program feasibility and patient condition were collected.

Results

Of 1180 injured patients who presented for emergency care, 83% provided telephone numbers, 62% were reached, and 48% (565) of all injured patients ultimately participated in telephone follow-up. Successfully contacted patients were reached after an average of 1.76 call attempts (SD 1.91) and median call time was 4.43 min (IQR 3.67–5.36). Five patients (1%) had died from their injuries at the time of follow-up. Among surveyed patients, 27% required ongoing assistance to complete activities of daily living. Nearly, half (47%) of patients reported inability to take medicines or care for their injury as instructed at discharge. Adequate pain control was achieved in only 38% of discharged patients.

Conclusion

Pilot data suggest considerable under treatment of injury in Cameroon. Mobile telephone follow-up demonstrates potential as a feasible tool for screening discharged patients who could benefit from further care.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Association for Academic Surgery/Association for Academic Surgery Foundation Global Surgery Research Fellowship Award.

Funding

Association for Academic Surgery/Association for Academic Surgery Foundation Global Surgery Research Fellowship Award

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Center for Global Surgical Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Building 1, Rooms 400 & 401, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA

    S. Ariane Christie, M. Agbor Mbianyor & Mary M. Tanjong

  2. Littoral Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Public Health, Douala, Cameroon

    Fanny N. Dissak-Delon

  3. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

    Alain Chichom-Mefire

  4. Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, 72-215 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Rochelle A. Dicker & Catherine Juillard

Authors
  1. S. Ariane Christie
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  2. M. Agbor Mbianyor
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  3. Fanny N. Dissak-Delon
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  4. Mary M. Tanjong
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  5. Alain Chichom-Mefire
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  6. Rochelle A. Dicker
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  7. Catherine Juillard
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Correspondence to Catherine Juillard.

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Christie, S.A., Mbianyor, M.A., Dissak-Delon, F.N. et al. Feasibility of a Cellular Telephone Follow-Up Program After Injury in Sub-Saharan Africa. World J Surg 44, 2533–2541 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05529-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05529-8

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