Quality of Life of Survivors Following Road Traffic Orthopaedic Injuries in Rwanda

Overview

Journal Front Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2024 Aug 5

PMID 39100955

Authors

J C Allen Ingabire

David K Tumusiime

Jean Baptiste Sagahutu

Gerard Urimubenshi

Georges Bucyibaruta

Sonti Pilusa

Aimee Stewart

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTI) pose a global public health threat, especially in low- and middle-income nations. These injuries typically cause orthopaedic problems that may negatively impair a person's physical and mental health and quality of life. Our study examined the quality of life of road traffic orthopaedic injuries (RTOI) survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study at five Rwandan referral hospitals, included 369 adult RTOI victims. Two years post-injury, participants completed the European Quality of life 5 Dimension 5 (EQ-5D-5L) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Questionnaire between June 2 and August 31, 2022, with informed consent. Three EQ-5D-5L-VAS scores were used: low (0-40%), fair (41-60%), and excellent (61-100%). We used logistic regression analysis with a significance threshold of < 0.05 to determine odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI.

Results: The RTOI victims had a mean age of 37.5 ± 11.26 years with sex ratio M:F:3:1. Usual activities (66.8%) and mobility (54.8%) were the most affected EQ-5D-5L dimensions. Residence, hospital stay, rehabilitation, and return to work affected mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. The EQ-5D-5L/VAS score showed 34.95% poor QoL (0-40%) and 35.50% good QoL. Factors affecting QoL include level of education (OR = 1.66, < <0.01), type of intervention (OR = 1.22, = 0.003), rehabilitation (OR = 2.41, < 0.01) and level of disability (OR = 196.41, < 0.01). Mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, comfort, anxiety, and depression vary moderately on Shannon's index.

Conclusion: The study highlights the significant impact of road traffic orthopaedic injuries (RTOI) on survivors' quality of life in Rwanda, revealing challenges in mobility and daily activities. Factors influencing quality of life include education level, medical intervention type, rehabilitation, and disability degree. The findings emphasize the need for tailored rehabilitation strategies and policy interventions to improve long-term outcomes for RTOI survivors.

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