Sophie Peeters1, Caitlin Blaine2, Iv Vycheth2, Sam Nang2, Din Vuthy2, Kee B Park3. 1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Preah Kossamak Hospital, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, USA. Electronic address: Sophie.Peeters@UTsouthwestern.edu. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Preah Kossamak Hospital, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, USA. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Preah Kossamak Hospital, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, USA; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical public health problem worldwide with a significant socioeconomic burden. Although improved safety regulations in high-income countries have resulted in a decline in traffic-related TBI, the incidence of TBI in low-income countries is on the rise. We illustrate the trends and factors involved in TBI in a large Cambodian governmental hospital in Phnom Penh. In addition, suggestions for improvement of the country's road traffic safety are discussed. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of all patients who presented with traumatic brain injury to Department of Neurosurgery at Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia between November 2013 and March 2016. RESULTS: TBIs in Cambodia are on the rise; 34% occur during rush hour, 5-9 pm, and 40% during the weekend. The vast majority (74%) occur as the result of road traffic accidents, of which 81% are motorcycle related. Helmet wear remains low at 13%, and recent alcohol use was reported as 38%. The most common diagnosis is skull fracture. The subdural to epidural hematoma ratio was 1:1.05. Lastly, in both subdural and epidural hematomas the frontal lobe was most commonly involved, with 60% of epidural hematomas associated with a lucid interval. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests prevention and management of TBIs can have a measurable public health impact in Cambodia. Initiative examples include helmet safety awareness campaigns, stricter penalties, improvement of prehospital care, and more efficient triage. A high proportion of unhelmeted motorcycle accidents correlates with an increase in epidural hematomas.
BACKGROUND:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical public health problem worldwide with a significant socioeconomic burden. Although improved safety regulations in high-income countries have resulted in a decline in traffic-related TBI, the incidence of TBI in low-income countries is on the rise. We illustrate the trends and factors involved in TBI in a large Cambodian governmental hospital in Phnom Penh. In addition, suggestions for improvement of the country's road traffic safety are discussed. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of all patients who presented with traumatic brain injury to Department of Neurosurgery at Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia between November 2013 and March 2016. RESULTS: TBIs in Cambodia are on the rise; 34% occur during rush hour, 5-9 pm, and 40% during the weekend. The vast majority (74%) occur as the result of road traffic accidents, of which 81% are motorcycle related. Helmet wear remains low at 13%, and recent alcohol use was reported as 38%. The most common diagnosis is skull fracture. The subdural to epidural hematoma ratio was 1:1.05. Lastly, in both subdural and epidural hematomas the frontal lobe was most commonly involved, with 60% of epidural hematomas associated with a lucid interval. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests prevention and management of TBIs can have a measurable public health impact in Cambodia. Initiative examples include helmet safety awareness campaigns, stricter penalties, improvement of prehospital care, and more efficient triage. A high proportion of unhelmeted motorcycle accidents correlates with an increase in epidural hematomas.
Authors: Jingjing Hu; Vannara Sokh; Sophy Nguon; Yang Van Heng; Hans Husum; Roar Kloster; Jon Øyvind Odland; Shanshan Xu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-26 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Ariana S Barkley; Laura J Spece; Lia M Barros; Robert H Bonow; Ali Ravanpay; Richard Ellenbogen; Phearum Huoy; Try Thy; Seang Sothea; Sopheak Pak; James LoGerfo; Abhijit V Lele Journal: J Neurosurg Date: 2019-12-20 Impact factor: 5.115