@article{ref1,
title="Demographic profile and epidemiology of injury in Mthatha, South Africa",
journal="African health sciences",
year="2013",
author="Dhaffala, A. and Longo-Mbenza, B. and Kingu, Jh and Peden, Margaret Mary and Kafuko-Bwoye, A. and Clarke, M. and Mazwai, El",
volume="13",
number="4",
pages="1144-1148",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude, socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics of injury at a Provincial referral hospital. <br><br>METHODS: This review was conducted on all trauma patients admitted at the Mthatha Hospital Complex and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital from the 1(st) January 1997 to the 31(st) December 2000. <br><br>RESULTS: The incident rate of injuries was 3.2% (n=2460/75,833 total admissions). Injured patients were mostly black (80%) and males (ratio: 5 men: 1 woman). Only 8.1% of injured patients were transported to hospital by ambulances. The leading causes of injuries were inter-personal violence accounting for 60% of cases, and motor vehicle accidents accounting for 19%; of them 38% were due to poor visibility, over speeding, and fatigue. The overall mortality was 33% (n=821) independently predicted by poverty (OR=8.2 95%CI 6-11.1; P<0.0001) and age>40 years(OR=7.8 95%CI 7.7-12.1;P<0.0001). <br><br>CONCLUSION: The burden of injury is a mass issue that warrants regional attention with quality of care and training.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1680-6905",
doi="10.4314/ahs.v13i4.40",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v13i4.40"
}