Citation

Yu KL, Bong CN, Huang MC, Chen CC, Ko YC, Chang PY, Chen TH, Chiang HC. Trop. Doct. 2009; 39(3): 170-172.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan hcchiang@kmu.edu.tw.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1258/td.2009.080283

PMID

19535758

Abstract

Our study evaluates the usefulness and the limitations of using the medical records of a central referral hospital to develop a child injury surveillance system in northern Malawi. The most prevalent types of injury were falls (29.6%), road traffic injuries (22.0%), burns (21.4%) and poisoning (15.1%). Older children (aged 5-14 years), in the cool-dry season (May to August) and the hot-dry season (September to October), were significant predictors for total injury admissions. Our study indicated that hospital medical records are a valuable component of a child injury surveillance system and can illustrate the trends and patterns of moderate to severe injuries as well as suggest potential prevention strategies for local settings. Combined with a specially designed trauma registry form, it is possible for developing countries at local level to combat the emerging public health issues.

Language: en