Prevalence of injury and associated factors among patients visiting the Emergency Departments of Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Injury significantly affecting the health and well-being of the society. The prevalence tends to be higher in low income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of injury and associated factors among patients visiting emergency departments of Amhara Regional State referral hospitals. METHODS: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from March to April 2014. The systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. The data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with injury. Odds ratios with 95 % confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance. RESULT: The prevalence of injury was 55.6 %. Being male (AOR = 2.8; 95 % CI, 1.79-4.47), monthly income less than 34.2 USD (AOR = 1.89; 95 % CI, 1.03–3.46), being age between 20 to 44 years (AOR = 2.25; 95 % CI, 1.06–4.81), being a daily laborer (AOR = 6.27; 95 % CI, 2.38-16.47), being a farmer (AOR = 2.9; 95 % CI, 1.31-6.41) and being a substance user (AOR = 2. 16; 95 % CI, 1.18-3.96) were significantly associated with injury. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of injury was high. Being male, age 20 to 44 years, income < 34.2 USD, being a daily laborer, being a farmer and alcohol use were factors associated with injury. Hence, appropriate injury prevention strategy should be designed in order to lessen the magnitude of injury.