Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40446007›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Epidemiology of Traumatic brain injury in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, mechanisms, and outcomes.

Yohannis Derbew Molla, Hirut Tesfahun Alemu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Yohannis Derbew MollaDepartment of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0001-7881-0538
Hirut Tesfahun AlemuCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause morbidity and mortality globally. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of TBI is high, driven by factors such as road traffic incidents (RTIs), assaults, and falls. However, comprehensive data regarding the epidemiology, causes, severity, and outcomes of TBI in Ethiopia remain limited. This scarcity hinders the formulation of evidence-based interventions and policies that are specifically tailored to this context. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to provide pooled estimates on the prevalence, causes, severity, complications, and outcomes associated with TBI.

methodA comprehensive review of existing literature was carried out by searching through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EMBASE to gather studies published until September 2024. The inclusion criteria were centered on studies that discussed the frequency, causes, risk factors and results of brain injury, in Ethiopia. The quality of the studies included in the review was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. We utilized Stata 17 statistical software for analysis. To address the heterogeneity observed among the studies, random-effects models were employed.

resultsThe pooled prevalence of TBI among patients presented with trauma was approximately 30.5%. The average age of the patients was 27.48 ± 2.047 years. The main causes for TBI were assaults 36% (CI: 0.28-0.44) road traffic incidents 35% (CI: 0.28-0.41) and falls 21% (CI: 0.15-0.27). Mild TBI made up 57% while moderate and severe TBI accounted for 25% and 18%, respectively. Complications, such as post-traumatic seizures and infections, were reported in 17% of cases. Additionally, the overall mortality rate was 12%. However, significant variability was observed among studies.

conclusionThe meta-analysis underscores the impact of TBI, in Ethiopia with high mortality rates and associated challenges. The results underscore the pressing requirement for measures to decrease TBIs linked to accidents and violence while also enhancing emergency services access and strengthening neurosurgeons capabilities, in Ethiopian medical facilities.

Indexed as

Brain Injuries, TraumaticAccidents, TrafficEthiopiaHumansMalePrevalenceRisk Factors

Identifiers

PMID40446007
PMCPMC12124570

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.