Citation

Ghimire A, Nagesh S, Jha N, Niraula SR, Devkota S. Kathmandu Univ. Med. J. 2009; 7(28): 402-407.

Affiliation

Department of Community Medicine, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Kathmandu University, Publisher Nepal Journals Online)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20502082

Abstract

Background: Injuries are a focus of public health practice because they pose a serious health threat, occur frequently and are preventable. Injuries affect people of all ages and range from minor cuts and bruises to major catastrophes that take thousands of lives. Objective: This paper aims to find out the prevalence of injuries and to study the various epidemiological factors related to the injuries in Dharan. Methods: A sample of 1398 households was taken as study sample. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the 10% households from each 19 wards. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and information related to injuries from the persons who suffered from injuries. Result: The prevalence of minor injury was 3.5% per month. It occurred more among 40-49 years age group (4.6%) and among farmers (6.9%). Home was the common place (55.6%). Cut/stab (32.8%) was most common types of minor injury. The prevalence of major injury was 0.7% per year and occurred more among 50-59 years age group (1.7%); at road (53.1%); among service holders (1.4%). Falls (46.9%) were most common types of injury. Four deaths were reported during the study period due to fatal injury. Conclusion: The injuries related to lifestyle, profession and road traffic accident is the commonest burden revealed in the study sample. Promotion of safety and education for protection at work and safe driving can prevent the major socio-economic loss to the family and community at large.

Language: en