Abstract
BackgroundOver 90% of injury deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. However, the epidemiological profile of injuries in Pacific Islands has received little attention. We used a population-based-trauma registry to investigate the characteristics of all injuries in Viti Levu, Fiji.MethodThe Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals (FISH) database prospectively collected data on all injury-related deaths and primary admissions to hospital (≥12 hours stay) in Viti Levu during 12 months commencing October 2005.ResultsThe 2167 injury-related deaths and hospitalisations corresponded to an annual incidence rate of 333 per 100,000, with males accounting for twice as many cases as females. Almost 80% of injuries involved people aged less than 45 years, and 74% were deemed unintentional. There were 244 fatalities (71% died before admission) and 1994 hospitalisations corresponding to crude annual rates of 37.5 per 100,000 and 306 per 100,000 respectively. The leading cause of fatal injury was road traffic injury (29%) and the equivalent for injury admissions was falls (30%). The commonest type of injury resulting in death and admission to hospital was asphyxia and fractures respectively. Alcohol use was documented as a contributing factor in 13% of deaths and 12% of admissions. In general, indigenous Fijians had higher rates of injury admission, especially for interpersonal violence, while those of Indian ethnicity had higher rates of fatality, especially from suicide.ConclusionsInjury is an important public health problem that disproportionately affects young males in Fiji, with a high proportion of deaths prior to hospital presentation. This study highlights key areas requiring priority attention to reduce the burden of potentially life-threatening injuries in Fiji.
Highlights
Over 90% of injury deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries
This study highlights key areas requiring priority attention to reduce the burden of potentially life-threatening injuries in Fiji
The aim of this paper is to draw on this Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals (FISH) system to describe the epidemiology of all injuries and to explore differences by socio-demographic characteristics and mechanisms of injury
Summary
Over 90% of injury deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. We used a population-based-trauma registry to investigate the characteristics of all injuries in Viti Levu, Fiji. Injuries are a neglected public health problem in developing countries, with over 90% of the world’s injury deaths occurring in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) [1,2]. Injury data from less resourced Pacific Island Countries and Territories has primarily relied on statistics in reports from government and non-government agencies responsible for health, law enforcement, transport, and social issues. Given the inadequacy of these data to inform robust national injury prevention efforts in Fiji, a prospective trauma registry was piloted and established in trauma admitting hospitals in Viti Levu, Fiji as part of the Traffic Related Injury in the Pacific (TRIP) Project [15]. The aim of this paper is to draw on this Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals (FISH) system to describe the epidemiology of all injuries and to explore differences by socio-demographic characteristics (including ethnicity) and mechanisms of injury
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
