African Journal of Emergency Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency care providers on obstetric haemorrhage in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A cross-sectional study","authors":"S Govender ,&nbsp;OP Khaliq ,&nbsp;T Abel ,&nbsp;J Moodley","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100909","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100909","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Obstetric haemorrhage (OH) is a leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. The South African Department of Health recommends that all childbirths be managed by skilled personnel who can identify and manage complications to reduce adverse maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Emergency Care (EC) providers are prehospital personnel mandated to fulfil this role; however, little is known about their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) for OH emergencies. This study assesses EC providers’ knowledge (specifically pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment), attitude and practices regarding OH management in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional KAP survey was administered to public-sector EC providers at designated central locations in each of the 11 KZN districts, with participants representing multiple ambulance stations in their respective districts. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire completed by 417 participants enrolled between July 2022 and August 2023. Modified Bloom’s cut-off points were used to develop KAP scores, enabling categorical assessment. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants (<em>n</em> = 417) were predominantly male (75.3 %, <em>n</em> = 314). The majority were aged ≥40 years (66.4 %, <em>n</em> = 277), ranging from 18 to 60 years. Regarding OH, 95.7 % demonstrated poor knowledge, 65.5 % a positive attitude and 96.6 % poor practices. The Kruskal-Wallis test (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) showed knowledge scores varied substantially by qualification level. Logistic regression indicated higher qualifications were associated with better knowledge, attitude and practices.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Targeted up-skilling and mandatory obstetric simulation for EC providers in KZN are needed to close knowledge-practice gaps. Despite a positive attitude, EC providers demonstrated poor knowledge and practices in OH management. These shortcomings appear influenced by systemic and contextual barriers and require further investigation. Nevertheless, our findings highlight the importance of sustained, targeted training and EMS support to address critical gaps and improve obstetric outcomes in emergency settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100909"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the relationship between armed conflict and infectious disease incidence in Six Sub-Saharan Countries: Implications for Emergency Departments in conflict areas","authors":"Andrew Holzman ,&nbsp;Daniel Olinga ,&nbsp;Jacob Busingye ,&nbsp;Douglas Rappaport","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100911","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100911","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study aimed to update and expand on prior ecological analyses by examining within-country and cross-national correlations between conflict deaths and infectious disease incidence in six neighboring sub-Saharan African countries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed six countries including Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Burundi using conflict death data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program and disease incidence data from the World Health Organization databases. Data were analyzed for the maximum period covered in the UCDP for each country, in general from 1990 to the present. Seven diseases were examined: malaria, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and yellow fever. We assembled matrices of regressions between conflict deaths and disease incidence within and across countries. The approach of this study was hypothesis-generating, with the intent to flag associations worthy of further consideration.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Within-country analyses identified strong positive associations in Burundi (e.g., tuberculosis: R² = 0.81, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001; tetanus: R² = 0.59, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001) and Uganda (e.g., tuberculosis: R² = 0.56, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001; malaria: R² = 0.42, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001). Weaker but statistically significant correlations were also observed with measles in Uganda (R² = 0.13, <em>p</em> = 0.04) and Burundi (R² = 0.29, <em>p</em> = 0.001). Cross-nationally, we observed strong correlations between conflict deaths in Burundi and tuberculosis incidence in Uganda (R² = 0.86, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001) and conflict deaths in South Sudan and malaria in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (R² = 0.64, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We confirm prior reports of malaria incidence association with armed conflict while introducing potential new associations involving tetanus and measles. Our hypothesis-generating approach supports further research. Emergency physicians and health systems in conflict-affected and adjacent regions should anticipate shifts in disease burden and consider preparedness strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100911"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145157929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Workplace violence against nurses in the Emergency Department in a Ghanaian Tertiary Hospital","authors":"Florence Nana Amoah ,&nbsp;Cecilia Eliason ,&nbsp;William Wilberforce Amoah ,&nbsp;Philemon Adoliwine Amooba","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Workplace Violence (WPV) is a shared problem in healthcare settings as well as a complex and perilous universal concern, specifically for the nursing profession. Violence in various Emergency Departments (ED) has increased in recent years, with accumulative data of nursing staff exposed to violent behaviors in the health sector that negatively affect the quality of care provided. However, limited research conducted in the Ghanaian context has subdued the understanding of workplace violence and its impact on emergency nurses.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative approach, using an explorative-descriptive design to delve into the experiences of nurses who have had WPV at the ED. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 20 participants. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide until saturation was attained. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four themes identified were understanding of WPV, coping strategies, effects on work performance, and experiences and responses to WPV. Participants reported encountering incidences of violence at the workplace. Abuse was perceived as predictable and increasing in intensity and frequency which victims acknowledged significantly affected both their level of devotion to their jobs and capacity to care for patients. The normalization of WPV has led to significant under-reporting of incidents.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study identified verbal abuse as the leading cause of WPV, which greatly affects the service rendered to patients. Safe working environments, occupational health measures, and effective prevention policies and interventions are needed in emergency department settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100905"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictors of immediate survival in Emergency Department cardiac arrest in Ethiopia: Insights from a resource-limited setting","authors":"Zigale Tilaye Ayalew ,&nbsp;Alemayehu Beharu Tekle ,&nbsp;Molla Asnake Kebede ,&nbsp;Melaku T. Berhanu ,&nbsp;Ashenafi Jemal ,&nbsp;Etsegent akloge","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100906","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100906","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in Emergency Departments (EDs) remains a leading cause of mortality, particularly in low-resource countries. This study aims to identify the clinical characteristics and predictors of immediate survival among ED cardiac arrest patients in Ethiopian hospitals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 215 adult patients who experienced IHCA in the EDs of Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College and Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma Hospital between January 2022 and December 2023. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of immediate survival, defined as returns of spontaneous circulation sustained for at least one hour.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 215 patients, the mean age was 50.7 years, and 58.6 % were male. The overall immediate survival rate was 46.5 % (<em>n</em> = 100). Independent predictors of survival included male sex (AOR 2.20; 95 % CI 1.06–2.89), respiratory failure as the cause of arrest (AOR 15.04; 95 % CI 2.34–95.13), continuous cardiac monitoring (AOR 4.94; 95 % CI 1.59–15.39), and initial shockable rhythms—ventricular fibrillation (AOR 37.93; 95 % CI 2.20–655.58) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (AOR 25.64; 95 % CI 5.08–129.47). Admission for sepsis was associated with lower survival (AOR 0.05; 95 % CI 0.01–0.68).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Nearly half of patients with ED cardiac arrest in Ethiopia achieved immediate survival. Continuous monitoring, rapid recognition of shockable rhythms, and prompt management of reversible causes such as respiratory failure improve outcomes, while sepsis remains a predictor of poor survival. Strengthening ED monitoring and resuscitation capacity could improve cardiac arrest outcomes in similar African settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100906"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the burden of unintentional injuries in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Daniel Gyaase ,&nbsp;Deepti Beri ,&nbsp;Stacie Powell ,&nbsp;Nipuna Cooray ,&nbsp;Margie Peden ,&nbsp;Julie Brown ,&nbsp;Jagnoor Jagnoor","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100907","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100907","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In Ghana, there is a lack of comprehensive and empirical data on injuries. In the absence of robust national datasets, systematic reviews serve as a critical tool for understanding existing evidence. Our study synthesises the available literature to estimate the pooled prevalence and mortality associated with unintentional injuries in Ghana.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We searched and identified studies that reported on the burden (prevalence, mortality, economic and disabilities) of commonly reported unintentional injuries (road traffic injuries, falls, burns, drowning and poisoning) in Ghana. Studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Global Health, and Scopus from 2000 to 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>A total of 46 studies were included in the review. The prevalence and mortality of unintentional injuries were high, with a pooled estimate of 18 % (95 % CI: 11 % – 26 %) and 15 % (9 % CI: 10 % – 21 %), respectively. Road traffic injury (RTI) was found to be a major contributor to the high prevalence and mortality. Our review found limited data on the economic burden and disabilities from unintentional injuries. Despite the lack of complete data, the cost of treating unintentional injuries appears to be significantly high. The annual cost of treating RTIs was US$6730,862.89, falls were US$1645,736.50, and burns were US$464,937.11.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our review found a high prevalence, mortality, and likely economic burden of unintentional injuries in Ghana. Prioritising road safety could significantly reduce the burden of unintentional injuries in Ghana. Due to the limited studies on the economic burden and disability from unintentional injuries, more research is needed to drive insurance policies and rehabilitation practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100907"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Critical care transfers of ventilator-dependent patients from operating theatres to Critical Care Units in a South African Metropole","authors":"Esther Cloete ,&nbsp;Jacobus J Badenhorst ,&nbsp;Anthony R Reed","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ventilated patients in the operating theatre who need transfer to other facilities, can contribute to delays and inefficencies in surgical and theatre resources. In 2018, an interhospital retrieval service was established to provide transfers between state hospitals in the Cape Town Metropole exclusively for intubated, post-operative patients. This study aims to describe the utilisation of the retrieval system and gain insights into retrieval patterns.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective observational study analysed all post-operative patients using the retrieval system between state hospitals in the Cape Town Metropole from July 2018 – December 2021, as recorded in an existing SPRINTT-OR registry.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 291 patients were included. Most patients retrieved were male (<em>n</em> = 186, 63.9 %), with a mean age of 34.95 (<em>S</em> ± 13.59). The median time interval from request to ambulance arrival was 61 min. Most patients (<em>n</em> = 184, 63.2 %) were transferred from a single Large Metro District Hospital (LMDH). Trauma surgery was the most common diagnostic category (<em>n</em> = 123, 42.3 %), followed by infective causes (<em>n</em> = 79, 27.1 %) and Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology (<em>n</em> = 52, 17.9 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study provides insight into the retrieval needs of ventilated, post-operative patients across different healthcare facilities in an African metropolitan area who are transferred with a dedicated, specialised transfer service. It describes the system's use and provides insight into patient demographics, diagnoses, and transfer timing, as well as the role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in optimising the functioning of a healthcare system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100908"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nurses’ knowledge and self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines during in-hospital cardiac arrest in a referral hospital in Ghana","authors":"Gyimaa Nti –Darkwah ,&nbsp;Susana Erica Somuah ,&nbsp;Amos Prince Otuah ,&nbsp;Mary Agongo","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Adherence to Advanced Life Support guidelines is vital for improving patient survival during a cardiac arrest. Nurses are often the first responders during inhospital cardiac arrests. This study assessed nurses’ knowledge of advanced life support guidelines and their self-reported adherence to recommended practices during in-hospital cardiac arrest.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Using simple random sampling, 138 registered nurses were recruited from the New Tafo Government Hospital in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data on the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge on and self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Less than half (39.9%) of nurses demonstrated good knowledge of advanced life support guidelines, with a similar proportion (34.8%) showing high self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines in simulated scenarios, and confidence level (39.8%) in responding to a cardiac arrest. Most respondents (65.2%) had never performed CPR in a clinical setting, and only 22.5% had participated in a simulation exercise. Recent advanced life support training (within the past 12 months) and greater years of clinical experience were significantly associated with higher knowledge levels.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Nurses’ knowledge of and self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines, as well as confidence level in responding to a cardiac arrest situation were low. Regular, structured advanced life support refresher training incorporating simulation and practical drills is essential to enhance nurses’ readiness and performance during cardiac emergencies</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100903"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Demographics of paediatric trauma at a zonal referral hospital for northwestern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Arthi Kozhumam ,&nbsp;Shazmah Suleman ,&nbsp;Vihar Kotecha ,&nbsp;Doug Lorenz ,&nbsp;Charles Uttoh ,&nbsp;Rebecca Yalimo ,&nbsp;Colleen Fant","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Despite a high burden of paediatric injury (25 % of all presenting injuries) in Tanzanian studies, literature remains limited, especially in recent years, regarding detail of care provided for the injured child across different healthcare settings in the country. This study aims to understand and map the pediatric trauma burden and factors descriptively associated with pediatric injury at the zonal referral hospital, Bugando Medical Center (BMC), for northwestern Tanzania.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study was a subgroup cross-sectional analysis of paediatric (ages 0 through 17) data collected from trauma patients who received care at BMC from March - August 2023, focused on paediatric-specific injury occurrence, injury characteristics, and location. Descriptive analyses of paediatric patient demographics, past medical history, prehospital characteristics, and injury characteristics across body system were conducted to understand the burden of serious injury in this setting. Geospatial analyses across region were conducted to understand patient density, triage level, prehospital care, and Euclidean distance from injury region to BMC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>146 children were included in analysis. Almost all children were injured at home (42.5 %) or in a traffic crash (33.6 %), with more than half (56.8 %) in the highest (red) triage category. Nearly 70 % had received prehospital care from a healthcare professional. Head and maxillo-facial injuries were most the most common. Distance from Bugando Medical Center was associated with higher triage level but not with prehospital care.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Paediatric injury in this referral hospital in northwestern Tanzania has distinct variations in referral patterns, injury locations and injury types. Efforts are particularly needed for head and maxillo-facial emergency support due to the predominance of injuries to these body systems. Regional variations in paediatric trauma incidence may represent a future target for outreach from this referral institution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100902"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Embracing 3D printing in emergency medicine training in Africa","authors":"Marvin Jansen,&nbsp;Fahmi Adams","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Africa's emergency medicine training faces challenges of limited resources, inadequate simulation tools, and few locally relevant training models. This article explores how three-dimensional (3D) printing can help address these gaps by enabling the creation of affordable, customizable models for procedural skills and simulation-based education. We discuss the context of emergency medicine training in Africa, where limited access to high-fidelity manikins and other teaching aids hampers skills acquisition. The model printing format may be of limited applicability in the context of dynamic simulations, where the model is required to interact and perform a function, versus static simulation, with the emphasis on identification and directed procedures. We highlight illustrative use cases, including a 3D-printed airway management manikin and a basic suturing practice pad, to demonstrate the technology’s potential for hands-on learning. Key benefits of integrating 3D printing into training programs are examined, such as improved access to simulation, better local adaptability, and increased opportunity for producing affordable task trainers that are suited for hands-on emergency procedures. We also acknowledge challenges, from startup costs and infrastructure needs to the learning curve of 3D printers and suggest practical steps for implementation. This commentary encourages educators and institutions in Africa to explore 3D printing for education, and we envision it becoming integral to emergency medicine training across the continent; fostering skill development, self-sufficiency, and ultimately improving patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100904"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving emergency care capacity with the WHO-ICRC Basic Emergency Care (BEC) course","authors":"Boris Arnaud Nteungue Kouomogne ,&nbsp;Bissouma-Ledjou Tania ,&nbsp;Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo ,&nbsp;Alvine Choula Noulala ,&nbsp;Hyppolite Kalambay Ntembwa ,&nbsp;Pierre Claver Kariyo ,&nbsp;Baonga Ba Pouth ,&nbsp;Douba Epée ,&nbsp;Bitang Louis Joss ,&nbsp;Bertolt Brecht Kouam Nteungue ,&nbsp;Dieudonnée Reine Ndougou ,&nbsp;Mochache Trufosa ,&nbsp;Simon Tumusiime ,&nbsp;Ambomo Sylvie Myriam ,&nbsp;Lauren Lai King ,&nbsp;Annet Ngabirano Alenyo ,&nbsp;Antoinette Naidoo ,&nbsp;Linda Endale Esso ,&nbsp;Yap Boum ,&nbsp;Habimana Phanuel ,&nbsp;Lee Wallis","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100892","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.100892","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Globally, the demand for acute care is surging, disproportionately burdening low- and middle-income countries. Training for healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in reducing related mortality and improving overall health and well-being, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the potential for impact, the World Health Organization- International Committee of the Red Cross <u>(</u>WHO-ICRC) Basic Emergency Care (BEC) course is yet to be fully rolled out in Francophone African nations such as Cameroon, Djibouti, Haiti, Morocco, and Tunisia. In this paper, we describe the introduction of this training in these countries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study utilized pre- and post-course surveys to gauge change in knowledge and confidence in delivering acute care. A comprehensive 4-day French BEC course and a concise 1-day Training of Trainer (ToT) course were delivered in Yaounde, Cameroon, in early 2023. Participants undertook surveys pre- and post-training, offering insights into their acute care knowledge, skills, and self-assurance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The courses were attended by 50 participants. The post-course evaluation highlighted a marked improvement in scores, showcasing a median score elevation from 72% pre-course to 88% post-course (p &lt; 0.001). Participants’ self-confidence in handling acute care scenarios doubled. Universal acclaim was received for the quality of training materials, courses, and facilitation methodology, with nearly half feeling no amendment was necessary in the course design. However, 30% felt a longer duration should be dedicated to the practical/skills components of the course.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The WHO-ICRC BEC course significantly enhanced the acute care knowledge, skills, and self-confidence of participants from these five countries, laying a solid foundation for future training sessions. Provisional trainers are now proficient in expanding such training within their regions. Evaluating patient outcomes post-training presents significant challenges, highlighting a crucial area for future research and scrutiny.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 4","pages":"Article 100892"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}