Study On Pattern Of Unintentional Injury Cases At Casualty Of A Tertiary Health Care Centre -A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: iv ABSTRACT Unintentional injuries are the largest source of premature morbidity and mortality and the leading cause of death. They are a major burden to the society all over the world in terms of both mortality and morbidity. Transportation is the largest source of these injuries. Other major causes involve fall from height, thermal injuries, drowning, and poisonings. The frequency, severity, potential for death and disability, and costs of these injuries, together with the high success potential of prevention strategies, make unintentional injury prevention a key public health goal to improve health in the future. Hence this study was aimed and undertaken to know the pattern of unintentional injuries, their morbidity and mortality burden in our set up. METHODS: The present cross sectional study was conducted at the casualty of our tertiary care centre from October 2011 to march 2012. A total of 753 cases of unintentional injuries were studied using a pretested proforma and the results analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 753 cases, maximum number of victims were in the age group of 20-39 years (51.92%) and 80.9% were males. The total mortality rate was 12%, with M: F= 4:1. Transportation injuries constituted the maximum number of cases (80.9%), with majority of the victims being two-wheeler rider and pillion rider (58.78%); most of them occurring due to hit by another vehicle (60.9%); with the common offending agent being heavy motor vehicle (39.4%); most common injury being skeletal injury (33.8%) and with a mortality rate of 8.5%. Most of the fall from height cases were seen in outside home (65%) involving stairs, balcony, and poles (67%); most common injuries being head injury (68.4%) and with a mortality rate of 15.8%. Majority of the thermal injuries were involving dry burns (59.45%); involving body surface area of 26-75% (69%); and a mortality rate of 40.5%. Unintentional poisoning and drowning / suffocation were least and all the cases were seen in children. CONCLUSION AND INTERPRETATION: Various preventive measures can be employed to minimize the burden of unintentional injury cases. The results of the present study is useful in interpreting the exact burden of mortality and morbidity of the unintentional injuries, their patterns, types, causative agents, and a strategic plan can be made accordingly for the benefit of the community and people at large.