TITLE:
Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of War-Injured Patients Evacuated at the 1st Joint Military Hospital, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Francois Stephane Kona Ngondo, Ferdinand Ndom Ntock, Christela Iroume, Larissa Kongeh, Stéphane Bamo, Ludovic Amengle, Roddy Stephan Bengono Bengono, Junette Arlette Metogo Mbengono, Bonaventure Jemea, Paul Owono Etoundi, Jacqueline Ze Minkande
KEYWORDS:
War Injuries, Ballistic Trauma, Military Hospital, Cameroon, Polytrauma, Critical Care
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Armed conflict in Cameroon has generated a substantial burden of traumatic injuries requiring organized evacuation and advanced surgical care. Epidemiological data describing war-related injuries in the country remain limited. Objective: To describe the demographic characteristics, injury mechanisms, evacuation modalities, management, and outcomes of war-injured patients treated at a tertiary military hospital in Cameroon. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2023 at the 1st Joint Military Hospital, Yaoundé. All patients admitted for war-related injuries were included (N = 226). Variables analysed included demographics, geographic origin, injury mechanism, anatomical distribution, evacuation modality, injury-to-care delay, surgical management, ICU admission, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Results: Patients were predominantly male (92.5%) with a mean age of 28 ± 7 years. Military personnel accounted for 81.4%, while 18.6% were civilians, including women and children. Casualties originated mainly from the Far North (38.9%), North-West (24.3%), and South-West (19.0%) regions. Ballistic trauma predominated (63.7%), followed by explosions (24.8%) and sharp weapons (11.5%). Injuries mainly involved extremities (46.0%), thorax (21.2%), and abdomen (17.7%), with 29.6% presenting polytrauma. Helicopter evacuation occurred in 57.5% of cases; mean injury-to-care delay was 6 ± 3 hours. Emergency surgery was required in 61.9%, ICU admission in 22.4%, mean hospital stay was 21 days, and mortality was 17.3%. Conclusion: War injuries in Cameroon predominantly affect young male military personnel and are largely ballistic in nature. Despite organized evacuation systems, mortality remains substantial, highlighting the need to strengthen trauma systems and critical care capacity.