A trauma registry experience from the main referral center of Honduras: A call for action

Abstract Background: Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the world and it has limited epidemiological data that describes the extent of intentional and unintentional injuries. This research is needed to develop and inform prevention programs in Honduras, as well as to spread international awareness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a paper-based injury surveillance system (InSS) with the help of Honduras’ University Medical School Hospital (UMSH), the main referral medical center in Tegucigalpa-Honduras. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were carried out using data from all registered injuries in 2013. Results: Of the 17,971 injuries reported, intentional injuries made up 18.14% of all injuries. Interpersonal violence from gun violence, robberies, and physical altercations accounted for 14.68%. Self-inflicted injuries made up 3.46% of injuries, with suicide falls and poison intoxications being the most frequent (1.9% and 1.2%, respectively). Sexual harassment was minimally reported (0.27%, n = 48). Unintentional injuries made up 81.79% of the total injuries. The most common causes of unintentional injuries were falls (38.01%) and road traffic injuries (16.65%). Motorocyclists made up 35.4% of those injured by road traffic accidents. In general, injuries occured during the weekend and mainly affected men during the ages when they would be most likely to work and maintain jobs. The modified Kampala trauma score (M-KTS) showed that most of the injuries were mild (range 3–11), with 59.59% of the patients with a M-KTS of 9, and an overall mortality rate of 0.65% (n = 117). Conclusion: The description of injuries provides the basis for prevention. The disproportionate number of unintentional injuries (4:1) seen in Honduras’ referral hospital calls for further research in: 1) trauma care logistics and emergency systems, 2) mortality and lethality of intentional injuries, and 3) analysis of the types of unintentional injuries. Further research is necessary to evaluate interventions and identify the socioeconomic effects of injuries in the region.