TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Epidemiology of paediatric injury in low income environment: Value of hospital based data prior to the institution of a formal registration system
JO  - African journal of paediatric surgery
A1  - Fokou, Marcus
A1  - Chichom-Mefire, Alain
SP  - 265
EP  - 270
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0189-6725
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0189-6725.120909
ID  - ref1
ER  -