MOBILE TRIAGE UNITS FOR RAPID ASSESSMENT AND STABILIZATION OF ABDOMINAL TRAUMA IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA tommyjane003@gmail.com

 

MOBILE TRIAGE UNITS FOR RAPID ASSESSMENT AND STABILIZATION OF ABDOMINAL TRAUMA IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

7

Nigeria

Poster Exhibition only

Abdominal trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with mortality rates ranging from 2% to 28%. Limited prehospital emergency services and delayed stabilization worsen outcomes. This paper examines the role of Mobile Triage Units (MTUs) in the rapid assessment and stabilization of abdominal trauma in SSA.

We conducted a review by systematically searching PubMed, African Journals Online (AJOL), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Search terms combined concepts of abdominal trauma, prehospital care, mobile triage units, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Relevant regional and global studies were synthesized to describe the epidemiology of abdominal trauma, barriers to timely trauma care, and the role of MTUs and associated innovations in resource-limited settings.

MTUs provide on-scene triage, resuscitation, and diagnostic capacity through tools such as point-of-care ultrasound, telemedicine support, and drone-assisted supply delivery. Evidence from Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana demonstrates that MTUs reduce prehospital delays, enhance triage accuracy, and improve survival, particularly through early hemorrhage control and resuscitation. Community first responder training and solar-powered MTUs further extend coverage in remote and resource-constrained regions. However, challenges include staffing shortages, supply chain disruptions, lack of standardized protocols, and limited cost-effectiveness data.

MTUs represent a promising, scalable solution to reduce preventable abdominal trauma deaths in SSA. Successful implementation requires integration into national emergency policies, sustainable financing, adapted ATLS-based training, and trauma registry systems to guide quality improvement. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and applicability in conflict and mass-casualty contexts.