Abstract:
Limb amputation is devastating for those affected and is a significant factor in rising health
care cost. In Ethiopia like other developing country trauma is the most causes of amputation. This is mainly due
to late complication of trauma management like wet gangrene, gas gangrene and chronic osteomyelitis. The
inappropriate use and care of splints (both bamboo and plaster) in the management of fractures by Medical Staff
and Traditional Healer is one of factors associated with limb amputation.
Objective: To assessMagnitude and associated factors oflimb amputation among orthopedic procedures at Arba
Minch General Hospital fromSeptember 2014-Augst 30/2017.
Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was used to conductthe study from cards of orthopedic
procedures utilizing a three years data. Systematic sampling technique was used to select representative of 384
study subjects. Socio-demographic and limb amputation related information was reviewed from Patient medical
records using Structured and pretested checklists.Epi-Info version 7.0 and SPSS version 21.0 was used for data
entry and analysis respectively. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were computed. Variables
associated at bivariate logistic regression with significance level of P< 0.25 wereentered into multivariate
logistic regression model and then variables with P <0.05 was considered statisticallyas significantassociation
with limb amputation.
RESULTS: From a total of 384 samples 61(15.9%) limb amputation were performed. The mean age of the
study subjects were 27(SD + 17).Amputation was common in age group <18yr in 25(41%) patients followed
22(36%) in 19-37yrs. In this study amputation was more common in male 39(64%) than female
22(36%).independent variable like infection, time of arrival >7hr, pre hospital treatment, place of pre hospital
visit diabetes mellitus and rural residence was found to have association with amputation at P<0.25. On
Multivariate logistic regression infection (p=0.001 (AOR=24.311, 95%CI (5.868-75.045) and traditional healer
treatment (P=0.001 (AOR=30.976, 95% CI (4.221-22.734) have significant association with limb amputation.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDETION:The study has revealed magnitude of limb amputation 15.9%.
Infection and pre hospital treatment by traditional healer (wogesha) was found to be significantly associated
with limb amputation. Developing appropriate strategy to prevent orthopedic infection and providing health
education for traditional bone setters (Wogesha) on adverse effect of tight splint age of fracture and putting law
enforcement to make them responsible for early referral of patients was recommended.
