Road Traffic Crash-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries in Bafoussam, Cameroon: Exploring the Gaps in Physiotherapy Access and Utilization: A pilot study

Background: Road traffic crashes worldwide result in significant morbidity and mortality, with musculoskeletal injuries often neglected in primary management. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and management of Road Traffic Crash-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries (RTCMI) in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in Bafoussam's hospital emergency units from January to June 2024. Using an exhaustive sampling, we enrolled 120 road traffic traumatic victims who provided informed consent to participate in the study. We excluded patients unable to communicate due to trauma status. Data analysis employed Excel 2016 with a 95% confidence interval.

Results: Our study revealed a RTCMI prevalence of 73%, with fractures being the most common injury (80%). Notably, physiotherapy was not prescribed in primary management, and only 11% received Physiotherapy prescriptions in secondary care. A mere 17% of respondents requested physiotherapy, citing prescription failure (100%), lack of knowledge (83.6%), preference for traditional treatment (21.9%), and high costs (2.7%) as barriers.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for further research into RTCMI management and physiotherapy integration in Cameroon. Our findings suggest significant gaps in prescription, awareness, and accessibility, emphasizing the importance of scaling up this study to inform healthcare policy and practice.