Pre-facility ambulance transportation service utilization and factors associated among trauma patients coming to Addis Ababa Burn Emergency and Trauma Hospital

Abstract

Background: Trauma has become a public health priority of Ethiopia. Receiving an appropriate pre- facility care from the scene plays a major role in the outcome of trauma patients. There is limited data about pre-facility ambulance utilization and factors associated in the country.

Objective: Determine pre-facility ambulance utilization and associated factors among trauma patients who visited AaBET hospital between Feb1 and April 10, 2024, in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Methodology: Institution based Cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 311. Systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer structured questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyze data. Descriptive analysis was done for frequencies and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze statistical associations between independent variables and pre-facility ambulance utilization.

Result: Only 23 (7.4%) out of 311 patients used ambulances as a mode of transportation from the scene to the first health facility. More than half of the patients 177(57%) received some form of medical care at the scene of the trauma. The odds of using pre-facility ambulance service is reduced when the trauma scene is vehicle accessible (COR: 0.319, 95% CI: 0.125,0.815, p-value: 0.017) and when the patient received care at the scene (COR: 0.366,95% CI: 90.143,0.942, p-value:0.037). Pre-facility ambulance service utilization was 7 times higher in those who reached higher education (AOR: 6.968,95% CI:1.145,42.397, p-value:0.035) and 4 times higher among respondents who are aware of any ambulance services (AOR: 3.556, 95% CI: 1.117,11.322, p-value:0.032).

Conclusion and Recommendation: The study showed there was a low utilization of pre-facility ambulances for trauma patients. This low utilization rate may be influenced by various factors such as accessibility to other vehicles at the trauma scene, the provision of care at the scene, educational status and awareness about the presence of ambulance service. It is recommended to improve public awareness about pre-facility ambulances.

............. Thesis available at ACIPH Library