Includes Appendix and Reference

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=0.001
Healthcare-related factors influenced recovery, timely access to CT scans (97.6%, n=82)
surgical interventions (44.0%, n=37) ,limited ICU space, inadequate rehabilitation
services constrained recovery. The severity distribution revealed 44% (n=37) mild, 32%
(n=27) moderate, and 24% (n=20) severe TBIs, with outcome differences statistically
significant 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