@article{ref1,
title="Epidemiology of paediatric injury in low income environment: Value of hospital based data prior to the institution of a formal registration system",
journal="African journal of paediatric surgery",
year="2013",
author="Fokou, Marcus and Chichom-Mefire, Alain",
volume="10",
number="3",
pages="265-270",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Little attention is generally paid to paediatric injuries, especially in low income settings. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of hospital-based paediatric injuries in a semi-urban area in Cameroon prior to the initiation of a formal registration system. Patients and METHODS: A sixteen items data collection sheet derived from a newly instituted trauma registry is used to retrospectively gather hospital-based basic information about epidemiology of injuries in patients aged 15 years or below in a low income setting. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy seven cases representing 16% of all injury cases could be analysed. The frequency of injuries significantly increased with age with a peak between 11 and 15 years (P < 0.001). Children in school playgrounds carried a significantly higher risk of sustaining an injury (P < 0.001). Falls and interpersonal violence were the most frequent mechanisms. The face and locomotor systems were the most commonly involved. More than 60% of patients were discharged back home. CONCLUSIONS: The data from the present registration system seem to indicate a higher injury rate in pre-adolescent children and in the school playground. The institution of a formal registration system is likely to improve the quality of data recording system.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0189-6725",
doi="10.4103/0189-6725.120909",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0189-6725.120909"
}