Abstract
Introduction
Intentional injuries pose a significant, yet underreported threat to children in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to evaluate intentional injuries trends and compare outcomes between unintentional and intentional injuries in pediatric patients presenting to a tertiary care facility in Malawi.
Methods
We performed a review of pediatric (≤15 years old) trauma patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2009 to 2018. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared based on the injury intent, using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis.
Results
We included 42,600 pediatric trauma patients in the study. Intentional injuries accounted for 5.9% of all injuries. Children with intentional injuries were older (median, 10 vs. 6 years, p < 0.001), more likely to be male (68.4% vs. 63.9%, p < 0.001), and had significantly lower mortality (0.8% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.02) than those with unintentional injuries There was no significant change in the incidence of or mortality associated with intentional injuries. On multivariable regression, increasing age, head and cervical spine injury, night-time presentation, penetrating injury, and alcohol use were associated with increased risk of intentional harm.
Conclusion
Intentional injury remains a significant cause of pediatric trauma in Malawi without decreasing hospital presentation incidence or mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a need to develop comprehensive plans and policies to protect children.
Level of evidence
II.
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This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors. The retrospective review study was in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Akinkuotu, A.C., Purcell, L.N., Kayange, L. et al. Trends and outcomes following intentional injuries in pediatric patients in a resource-limited setting. Pediatr Surg Int 37, 649–657 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04849-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04849-z