Mobile triage units for abdominal trauma in sub-Saharan Africa: current evidence, implementation barriers, and strategies for scale-up

Abdominal trauma is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), exacerbated by systemic deficiencies in prehospital care, limited hospital resources, and reliance on informal transport. Mobile triage units (MTUs) have emerged as a potential solution, providing rapid on-scene assessment, stabilization, and diagnostics. This narrative review synthesized evidence from PubMed, African Journals Online, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to evaluate MTU roles, effectiveness, implementation challenges, and strategies for sustainable deployment in SSA. Trauma-related deaths are substantial, with up to 50% occurring in the prehospital phase. MTUs equipped with portable ultrasound, hemorrhage control tools, fluid resuscitation kits, telemedicine, and drone-assisted supply delivery demonstrate the potential to reduce prehospital mortality by up to 30% and decrease transport times. Task-shifting models and community first responder programs enhance MTU reach in resource-limited areas. Implementation challenges include financial constraints, workforce shortages, logistical barriers, integration difficulties, and cultural acceptance. Addressing these requires targeted strategies: cost-effective and locally adapted designs to reduce financial barriers; scalable training programs and task-shifting to address workforce gaps; mobile and drone-assisted units to overcome logistical challenges; EMS integration to ensure coordinated care; and community engagement to foster acceptance. MTUs represent a transformative intervention for SSA, improving prehospital trauma care and timely access to definitive management. Further multicenter studies are needed to evaluate effectiveness, optimize operational protocols, and identify best practices for scalable MTU deployment across the region.