| dc.description.abstract | Traumatic brain injury is the disruption of the brain structure caused by external force, characterized by confusion, loss of consciousness, coma, or seizure. TBI is a public health concern globally and the leading cause of admissions, increased morbidity, mortality, and disability. The objective of the study was to assess the determinants of health outcomes of TBI patients at MeTRH. A cross-sectional study design was used. The study population included adult TBI patients, and healthcare providers. A sample size of 36 TBI patients, and 74 healthcare workers. Medical record files were used as data source to collect data on prevalence and types of TBI. Data was collected using checklist, interview-guided questionnaires, disability rating scale tool, and self-administered questionnaires. Data management involved cleaning, codding, entering numerical data into SPSSv27. The study identified a wide spectrum of TBIs, epidural hematoma (21.4%, n=18), skull fractures (20.2%, n=17), subdural hematoma (16.7%, n=14) being most prevalent. RTA leading cause (70.2%, n=59), assaults (22.6%, n=19). Inferential analysis showed a significant association between type of TBI and health outcomes (χ²=12.47, p=0.002), subdural hematoma and severe TBI linked to higher mortality. Overall, 16.7% (n=6) of patients died, within two weeks, 52.8% (n=19)regained functional independence by Week 6. Recovery trajectories revealed physical improvement compared to cognitive and psychosocial recovery, with 38.9%(n=14)employable without restrictions. Patient-related factors older age (≥50 years), male sex, history of prior TBIs (11.9%, n=10), low admission GCS,(≤8), delayed hospital arrival (>6 hours) were significantly associated with poor outcomes (χ²=15.36, p=0.001Healthcare-related factors influenced recovery, timely access to CT scans (97.6%, n=82)surgical interventions (44.0%, n=37) ,limited ICU space, inadequate rehabilitationservices constrained recovery. The severity distribution revealed 44%(n=37) mild, 32%(n=27) moderate, and 24% (n=20) severe TBIs, with outcome differences statisticallysignificant across severity levels (ANOVA, F=9.21, p<0.001). Findings; high prevalence of TBI in young males (75%, n=63) caused by RTAs, good neurological and physical recovery, cognitive, psychosocial, and employment outcomes remained suboptimal. Strengthening road safety, pre-hospital emergency care, neuroimaging, surgical capacity, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs, with standardized use of outcome tools such as the DRS, `are critical to improving long-term TBI health outcomes. | en_US |
