Abstract
BackgroundDespite the growing burden of injuries worldwide, Syria and many other Arab countries still lack population-based estimates of different types of injuries. This study aims toprovide first population-based estimates of major injuries in Syria and characterize groups at increased risk.MethodsAn interviewer-administered population-based survey of adults 18–65 years residing in Aleppo, Syria was conducted in 2004. The study sample involved 2038 household representatives in Aleppo (45.2% men, mean age 35.3 ± 12.1, response rate 86%). We inquired about participants self-reported injuries in the past year that required medical attention as well as injuries among their household members. When reported, injuries were further assessed according to type, place, and outcome.ResultsOverall, there was 153 self-reported injuries in the past year (77.3 per 1000 adult respondents, 93.1 per 1000 in men and 64.4 per 1000 in women, p = 0.02). Other than gender, injuries differed by age (the older age group being least affected), and place of occurrence, as men were more likely to sustain traffic injuries and be injured outside the home. Injuries were reported among 236 household members (21.0 per 1000), and were slightly more frequent in children than adults (22.0 per 1000 for children, and 19.7 per 1000 for adults, p = 0.2). Traffic injuries, falls, and poisoning (food) were by far the most common types of injury experienced by participants as well as their household members. Falls and traffic injuries seem to have caused most morbidity for the injured, while burns, although not frequently reported, were associated with an unfavorable outcome in the majority of cases.ConclusionThis information provides baseline information about the burden of different injuries in Syria, and the sociodemographic factors related to them.
Highlights
Despite the growing burden of injuries worldwide, Syria and many other Arab countries still lack population-based estimates of different types of injuries
Injuries differed as well by age, but the difference in injuries according to education, and SES did not reach statistical significance (Table 1)
Men were most likely to be injured outside the house while the opposite was true for women (Table 1)
Summary
Despite the growing burden of injuries worldwide, Syria and many other Arab countries still lack population-based estimates of different types of injuries. This study aims toprovide first population-based estimates of major injuries in Syria and characterize groups at increased risk. Unintentional injuries represent a major public health risk worldwide accounting for more than 5 million deaths annually and are projected to increase to 8.4 million in. Low and middle income countries account for about 85% of the deaths and 90% of the DALYs lost annually as a result of traffic accidents [5]. Estimates suggest that road traffic injuries, in particular, cost low and middle income countries 1% to 1.5% of their gross national product annually. These estimates do not include the hidden costs for affected families and neighborhoods [6,7]
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.
