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948 Urban versus rural injury differences in Oman: results from a prospective trauma registry
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  1. Amber Mehmood1,
  2. Katharine A Allen1,
  3. Ammar Al Kashmiri2,
  4. Ali AlBuasidi3,
  5. Abdullah AlManiri4,
  6. Kent Stevens1,
  7. Adnan A Hyder1
  1. 1Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
  2. 2Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman
  3. 3Nizwa Hospital, Nizwa, Oman
  4. 4The Research Council, Oman

Abstract

Background Oman is a high-income country located in the Arab Gulf Region. The coastal regions of this country consist of highly developed urban centres, with the interior regions being rural and less developed. To-date little data has been generated on the regional differences in injury scale and case mix. Understanding these differences will allow for effective injury-prevention policies and targeted interventions.

Methods A prospective trauma registry was launched in two hospitals in Oman: Khoula Hospital, the national referral centre located in Muscat and Nizwa Hospital, a regional centre serving rural communities. All patients who were admitted with a history of trauma between October 2014 and April 2015 were included. Data was captured on injury details, demographics and treatment received. Further analysis was conducted by hospital of admission.

Results 2,596 cases were included, 62% were captured at Khoula. Age and sex distribution were similar across both sites. The leading cause of injury at Khoula was falls (39%) versus transport crashes in Nizwa (38%). Pedestrians were commonly injured in Muscat (17%) vs. Nizwa (6%). Approximately 22% of cases at Nizwa reached the hospital in less than 30 minutes since time of injury compared to less than 5% in Muscat. 61% of patients in Nizwa were transferred from other centres for definitive treatment as compared to Khoula (35%).

Conclusions Important differences exist between these two hospitals of Oman. A greater proportion of falls in Muscat might reflect the greater number of construction projects. In Nizwa, a rural environment highlights the burden of road injuries. More inter-facility transfers in Nizwa were observed due to initial triage of the victims to the nearest facility. These findings suggest that different injury prevention strategies and trauma care priorities are needed for each location. Additionally, significant differences in hospital transport times highlight the need for improved pre-hospital care.

  • trauma registries
  • Oman
  • injury differentials

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