Abstract
Purpose
With injuries becoming a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability, and socioeconomic
losses in India and other low- and middle-income countries, its impact on the female
population is significant, affecting their multiple roles and functions. The objectives
of the present study were to identify the burden, causes, characteristics, and outcomes
of injury among females in Bengaluru city.
Methods
Information on fatal and nonfatal injuries was collected from the Bangalore city police
and the emergency rooms of 22 partner hospitals, respectively, under the Bengaluru
Injury Surveillance Program in 2007 and 2008. Data were collected in an uniform manner
by trained personnel using standardized methods.
Findings
Females across all age groups accounted for 26% of fatal and 23% of nonfatal injuries
and the highest numbers were among those 16 to 45 years old. Burns and hanging were
the leading causes of death; road crashes and poisonings were the major causes of
nonfatal injuries. Nearly half of the fatal and one third of the nonfatal injuries
were suicides. Pedestrians and two-wheeler riders/pillions were mainly involved in
road crashes. Very few received first aid at the injury site and the commonest modes
of transportation were a private vehicle or taxi and the local three-wheeler vehicle.
More than half of the injured were admitted in the hospitals for medical or surgical
management.
Conclusion
Injuries are a major, preventable public health problem. There is a need to strengthen
injury prevention and control programs, as well as increased research to understand
risk factors and injury mechanisms.
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Biography
Dr. Kavita has completed her MD in Preventive and Social Medicine. Her interests are in the field of Women's health, child health and Injury prevention.
Biography
Dr. Girish is an epidemiologist and a public health specialist with interests in Psychiatric epidemiology and Health systems research. Trained to do Cochrane systematic reviews, also works in several cross cutting issues of Women's health, Alcohol use etc.
Biography
Dr. Gururaj has completed his MD in Community Medicine and obtained advanced training in epidemiology at UCLA School of public health, Los Angeles. His interests are in the areas of road traffic injuries, suicides, violence against women and children and work related injuries.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 16, 2011
Accepted:
December 22,
2010
Received in revised form:
December 22,
2010
Received:
April 26,
2010
Footnotes
Funded by the Indian Council for Medical Research, New Delhi India and WHO India country office.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
