Citation

Nandasoma WSP, Price JD, Blinkhorn AS. Int. J. Health Promot. Educ. 2001; 39(2): 36-39.

Affiliation

Barnsley Community & Priority Care NHS Trust

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Institute of Health Education)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and causes of facial bone fractures in different age groups attending a district general hospital and ascertain which groups of the population are likely to suffer from nonaccidental injuries.

Method: The clinical records of all the residents of Barnsley who were seen at Barnsley District General Hospital following facial bone fractures during a five year period from 1 January 1989 to 31 December 1993 were examined and details of the accident and any history of alcohol consumption were noted.

Results: Four hundred and nine patients with facial bone fractures were seen over this five year period, with a male to female ratio of 5:1. The rate of facial bone fractures for males was 31.3 per ten thousand for the five year period. The highest male rate of 98.0 per ten thousand was seen in the 20-24 age group. Females had a rate of 5.9 per ten thousand during the same period. The main cause of injury in males was alleged assault which occurred in public places. The main cause of injury in females was falls suffered at home. About 30% of the injured males had consumed alcohol and this increased the risk of injury by a factor of six.

Conclusion: Among young males alcohol consumption is a predisposing factor for non-accidental facial injuries.