Community based estimation of extent and determinants of cost of injuries in a north Indian city

Abstract

Very few community based studies on the economic impact of injuries are available from India. Being based on secondary data sources these underestimate the true burden. Current study aimed to ascertain the incidence and economic impact of injuries in an Indian city. Details of injury events during the reference period were elicited in the study population through a community based survey in 2008. The severity of injury was categorized on the basis of need and duration of hospitalization. Direct and productivity costs were assessed for each event of injury. Out of 230 households contacted 212 participated in the study. Overall, 985 people were interviewed. The overall incidence of injury was 48.73/1000 population, Road traffic injuries (RTIs) were the leading cause (35%) of injury, followed by the falls (17%), contact with hot substances (13%), inanimate mechanical force (13%), animate mechanical force (8%), assault (8%) and others (6%). The ratio of fatal: severe non-fatal: mild injuries were 1:14:33. The total direct cost (DC) incurred was Rs. 310,951.67, contributed by medical (44%), surgical (21%), legal (15%), cost of informal care (10%). The total productivity cost of injuries was Rs. 416,700, contributed by mortality cost of Rs. 336,000 (81%) and morbidity cost of Rs. 807,00 (19%). For every case of fatal injury, there were 14 cases of severe hospitalized injuries and 33 cases of mild injuries. RTIs were the commonest. Injuries had sizeable direct and indirect cost on the society.