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Tanzania Journal of Health Research
Health User's Trust Fund (HRUTF)
ISSN: 1821-6404
Vol. 17, No. 4, 2015, pp. 1-11
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Bioline Code: th15040
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 17, No. 4, 2015, pp. 1-11
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Trauma admissions among victims of domestic violence at a tertiary care hospital in north-western Tanzania: an urgent call to action
CHALYA, PHILLIPO L.; MASSINDE, ANTHONY N.; KIHUNRWA, ALBERT; KAYANGE, NEEMA M.; HAULI, KIYETI A.; KAPESA, ANTHONY; MWETENI, WEMAELI; NGALLABA, SOSPATRO E. & GILYOMA, JAPHET M.
Abstract
Background: Despite the growing recognition of domestic violence as a public health and human rights
concern, it remains rampant in developing countries and has a negative impact on the victim’s health. This
study describes the injury characteristics and treatment outcome of trauma associated with domestic
violence in north-western Tanzania.
Methods: This was a descriptive prospective study of patients who were managed for domestic violence
related trauma at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania from April 2009 to March 2014.
Results: A total of 324 patients (M: F = 1: 10.6) were studied. Majority of the patients were in the second
and third decades of life. The perpetrators were mainly husbands and ex-partners (55.5%). Suspecting
sexual partner being unfaithful was the most common reason given by victims for domestic violence in
63.4% of cases. Blunt and sharp objects (56.8%) were the most common weapons used. Gunshot injuries
were recorded in 0.6% of cases. The head/neck was commonly affected in 68.5%. Soft tissue injuries (77.8%)
were the most frequent type of injuries. The majority of patients (65.4%) sustained mild injuries. Twentythree
(7.1%) patients were HIV positive. Surgical treatment was performed in only 34.6% of cases.
Complication rate was 26.8%. The median hospital stay was 12 days. Mortality rate was 6.5%. The main
predictors of mortality were advanced age (> 60 years), late presentation, severity of injury, severe head
injury, HIV seropositivity, low CD 4 count (<200 cells), surgical site infection (p<0.001). More than twothirds
of patients were lost to follow up.
Conclusion: Domestic violence related trauma remains rampant in northwestern Tanzania and contributes
significantly to high morbidity and mortality. Urgent preventive measures targeting at reducing the
occurrence of domestic physical violence is necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality resulting from
these injuries.
Keywords
Domestic violence; physical trauma; injury characteristics; treatment; outcome; Tanzania
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© Copyright 2015 - Tanzania Journal of Health Research
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