Trauma systems in Kenya: A qualitative analysis at the district level

Hadley K.H. Wesson, Kent A. Stevens, Abdulgafoor M. Bachani, Stephen Mogere, Daniel Akungah, Jackim Nyamari, John Masasabi Wekesa, Adnan Ali Hyder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Injury is a leading cause of death and disability in low- and middle-income countries. Kenya has a particularly high burden of injuries, accounting for 88.4 deaths per 100,000 population. Despite recent attempts to prioritize injury prevention in Kenya, trauma care systems have not been assessed. We assessed perceptions of formal and informal district-level trauma systems through 25 qualitative semi-structured interviews and 16 focus group discussions with Ministry of Health officials, district hospital administrators, health care providers, police, and community members. We used the principles of theoretical analysis to identify common themes of prehospital and hospital trauma care. We found prehospital care relied primarily on "good Samaritans" and police. We described hospital care in terms of human resources, infrastructure, and definitive care. The interviewers repeatedly emphasized the lack of hospital infrastructure. We showed the need to develop prehospital care systems and strengthen hospital trauma care services.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)589-599
Number of pages11
JournalQualitative Health Research
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 4 2015

Keywords

  • Africa, sub-Saharan
  • health care, access to
  • health seeking
  • research, qualitative
  • trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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