Quality of life and associated factors 1 year after road traffic injuries in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) can cause serious physical, psychological, and social consequences, impacting survivors’ quality of life (QoL). This study assessed the QoL and associated factors 1 year after RTIs in Ethiopia. Design and Methods: A cohort study with one-time follow-up phone interview was conducted among 330 adult RTI patients 1 year after discharge from a Trauma Hospital in Ethiopia. Predictors were collected using structured questionnaires, and QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF tool. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and QoL scores, while a multivariable linear regression model was employed to identify predictors of QoL. Results: A total of 326 survived, and four deaths occurred in 1 year. Most participants were male ( n = 258, 78.2%), and the median age was 31.5 years (IQR: 25–44). Mean scores for physical health, psychological health, social relationship, and environmental health QoL domains were 56.2, 73.6, 70.5, and 57.8, respectively. More than half (58.0%) reported poor overall QoL. Concussion, amputation and internal injuries (β = −4.39, p = 0.022), history of surgical intervention (β = −5.56, p = 0.037), poor health satisfaction (β = −31.4, p < 0.001), not returning to normal life (β = −17.9, p < 0.001) or work (β = −5.95, p = 0.030), and perceived lack of opportunities (β = −8.98, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with reduced overall QoL. Conclusions: A substantially high number of survivors experience poor QoL. The findings highlight that injury type, health status, and post-injury reintegration status were key determinants. Enhancing post-discharge rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and employment reintegration programs is essential to improve QoL.