Magnitude of pneumothorax and associated factors among adult trauma patients at Emergency department in Western Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia in 2024

Background: Traumatic pneumothorax is defined as presence of air between parietal and visceral pleural cavity leading to lung collapse and impaired oxygenation. The magnitude and associated factors of pneumothorax among adult trauma patients in developing countries are under-studied. So, it requires well-designed studies to offer credible evidence for the healthcare systems. Objectives: To assess magnitude of pneumothorax and associated factors among trauma patients at Emergency department in Western Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling technique from May 25 to June 30, 2024. Data were gathered from patients with face to face interview as well as patient’s charts by nurses. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify association between independent and outcome variables and model fitness was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Multicollinearity was checked using variance inflation factor. Variables in bivariable analysis with p < 0.25 were entered into multivariable logistic regression and variables with p<0.05 were considered as statistically significant with traumatic pneumothorax. The strength of factors associated with traumatic pneumothorax was demonstrated using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Result: The overall magnitude of traumatic pneumothorax was 12.1% with 95% CI. Males [AOR = 2.555, 95%CI (1.029-6.349)], low monthly income [AOR= 4.303, 95%CI (1.539-12.03)], middle monthly income [AOR= 3.177, 95%CI (1.097-9.207)], comorbidity [AOR= 2.118, 95%CI (1.058-4.240)], complication [AOR= 2.457, 95%CI (1.07-5.642)], penetrating injury (AOR= 2.55, 95%CI (1.069-6.083)), bullet injury (AOR= 3.084, 95%CI (1.013-9.395)) and abdominal injury [AOR= 4.6, 95%CI (1.73-10.82)] were factors of traumatic pneumothorax. Conclusion: The magnitude of traumatic pneumothorax is notably high as a baseline data. Sex, monthly income, comorbidity, complication, type of injury, mechanism of injury and extra-thoracic injury were associated factors for traumatic pneumothorax.