INJURIES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF THE CHALLENGING EPIDEMIC.

Abstract

Background: Injuries are an emerging public health problem that has grown into epidemic proportions. Many injuries are linked to social, environmental, cultural, and biological issues in causation; recognized as man-made and behaviour-linked disorders, and linked to sociodemographic transition. Prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation are the major challenges we are facing today. Materials & Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted at the National Injury Surveillance Centre (NISC) Department of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi. Data was collected from 2861 participants (>18 years) of injury cases during 12 months (Jan-Dec 2019). Participants were selected using the Convenience Sampling Technique. The data were analysed statistically using SPSS software to assess the risk factors and pattern of injury among the population of the National Capital Region, Delhi. Results: In this study, the mean age was 36.6 years. The male to female ratio was 2.1:0.7. The age group 18-45 years is affected predominantly (71.1%). Around 48.8% were students (matriculation/junior school). 39.5% (1131) were unemployed. 1999 (69.9%) were accidental (unintentional), 1671 (58.4%) were having moderate to severe injury, 1675 (58.5%) happened onroad, and 1341 (46.9%) were having soft tissue injury. 1198 (41.9%) were RTI cases and 816 (28.5%) were assault/quarrel cases, the second most common mode of injury. Conclusion: With the realization that injuries are caused by a complex interaction among agents (vehicle, product), and human and environmental factors operating in complex social and economic systems, injury prevention and control depending on evidence-based research is gaining momentum. There is an urgent need for developing comprehensive, integrated, and intersectoral approaches based on scientic understanding.