Description
- Abstract:
- Rwanda has seen a significant rise in alcohol consumption and dependence, increasing from 41% in 2013 to 48% in 2022, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. This issue is compounded by a 2021 study from the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, which revealed that head injuries predominantly affected males and pedestrians, with motor vehicle collisions accounting for nearly 78% of these cases. Alarmingly, alcohol use was either unassessed or unconfirmed in 81.3% of instances. The literature on the relationship between alcohol misuse and trauma outcomes shows conflicting results. Some studies report no significant differences in mortality or length of stay (LOS) between patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and those without, while others suggest that AUD-positive individuals face higher mortality rates and longer hospital stays. This study aims to deepen the understanding of alcohol misuse among trauma patients, potentially informing public health policies and resource allocation in Rwanda. Conducted as a single-center prospective observational study, this research focuses on trauma patients aged 16 and older in the emergency department of the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK ED). Research assistants approach patients shortly after admission, obtaining informed consent and administering the AUDIT-C screening survey for alcohol use disorder, which is translated into Kinyarwanda. Comprehensive data is collected from participant health records, including demographics, cause of trauma, injured body parts, arrival times, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, and intubation status. Key outcomes include mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and emergency department LOS. Preliminary findings from 31 surveyed trauma patients have not yet shown statistically significant associations; however, AUD-positive patients are trending toward longer LOS. Notably, a higher proportion of AUD-positive patients have presented with non-traffic-related trauma, possibly linked to the prevalence of affordable motorcycle taxis in Kigali. Data collection, approved by the IRB on August 25, 2024, will continue until January 2025, amid emerging public health concerns such as the recent epidemic of Marburg virus disease affecting healthcare workers in Rwanda. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the impact of alcohol misuse on trauma outcomes, guiding future interventions and policies.
- Notes:
- Scholarly concentration: Non-Scholarly Concentrator
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Citation
Coppinger, Austin, Umotoniwase, Divine Christelle, Mugemangango, Pascal, et al.,
"Prevalence and Implications of Alcohol Misuse in Trauma Patients at the Emergency Department of the University Teaching Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda"
(2024).
Warren Alpert Medical School Academic Symposium.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:wnycp4ps/
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Warren Alpert Medical School Academic Symposium
The Warren Alpert Medical School Academic Symposium is an annual event at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University that provides Year II medical students a venue to present their summer research in a poster format. Participation in the Symposium …...