Citation

Mattila VM, Mäkitie I, Pihlajamäki H. J. Trauma 2006; 61(5): 1222-1227.

Affiliation

Centre for Military Medicine Lahti, Finland; the Department of Medical Services Defence Staff, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland; and the Armoured Brigade (I.M.), Finnish Defence Forces, Hämeenlinna, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.ta.0000197179.50226.1d

PMID

17099533

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: The firearm-related mortality in Finland is one of the highest in Europe. The study objective was to describe the incidence trends and nature of firearm-related injury hospitalizations in Finland between 1990 and 2003. METHODS:: We included all firearm-related injury hospitalizations between 1990 and 2003. The data were obtained from the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register. Only events with traumatic physical injuries were included. RESULTS:: The overall incidence of firearm-related injury hospitalization was 5.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.5-5.7) per 100,000 person-years in 1990 and 2.6 (95% CI: 2.1-3.0) in 2003. The absolute numbers were 254 and 133, respectively. Unintentional injuries accounted for 44% of injuries during the study period. Hospitalization incidence resulting from intentional firearm-related injuries (self-inflicted and assault) remained unaltered over the study period. Men's injury incidence was 10.0 times (95% CI: 8.8-11.4) that of women's. Young men aged 15 to 34 years displayed the highest incidence figures. The most common types of the firearm-related injuries were open wounds (52%) and fractures (17%). Anatomically they involved the head and the neck (35%), the lower limb (28%), and the trunk (19%). CONCLUSIONS:: Although the total incidence of firearm-related injuries decreased in Finland during the 14-year study period, the incidence of intentional firearm-related injuries remained at the same level. Finding information on the risk factors of firearm-related injuries and the reasons for the steady level of intentional injuries are the next steps toward preventive measures.

Language: en