Citation

Kobusingye OC, Guwatudde D, Lett R. Inj. Prev. 2001; 7(1): 46-50.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. olive@imul.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11289535

PMCID

PMC1730690

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe and contrast injury patterns in rural and urban Uganda. SETTINGS: One rural and one urban community in Uganda. METHODS: Community health workers interviewed adult respondents in households selected by multistage sampling, using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: In the rural setting, 1,673 households, with 7,427 persons, were surveyed. Injuries had an annual mortality rate of 92/100,000 persons, and disabilities a prevalence proportion of 0.7%. In the urban setting 2,322 households, with 10,982 people, were surveyed. Injuries had an annual mortality rate of 217/100,000, and injury disabilities a prevalence proportion of 2.8%. The total incidence of fatal, disabling, and recovered injuries was 116/1,000/year. Leading causes of death were drowning in the rural setting, and road traffic in the city. CONCLUSION: Injuries are a substantial burden in Uganda, with much higher rates than those in most Western countries. The urban population is at a higher risk than the rural population, and the patterns of injury differ. Interventions to control injuries should be a priority in Uganda.