Fall-related injuries in a low-income setting: Results from a pilot injury surveillance system in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

This study assessed the characteristics and emergency care outcomes of fall-related injuries in Pakistan. This study included all fall-related injury cases presenting to emergency departments (EDs) of the three teaching hospitals in Rawalpindi city from July 2007 to June 2008. Out of 62,530 injury cases, 43.4% (N=27,109) were due to falls. Children (0-15 years) accounted for about two out of five of all fall-related injuries. Compared with women aged 16-45 years, more men of the same age group presented with fall-related injuries (50% vs. 42%); however, compared with men aged 45 years or more, about twice as many women of the same age group presented with fall-related injuries (16% vs. 9%, P<0.001). For each reported death due to falls (n=57), 43 more were admitted (n=2443, 9%), and another 423 were discharged from the EDs (n=24,142, 91%). Factors associated with death or inpatient admission were: aged 0-15 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.35), aged 45 years or more (aOR=1.94), male gender (aOR=1.15), falls occurring at home (aOR=3.38), in markets (aOR=1.43), on work sites (aOR=4.80), and during playing activities (aOR=1.68). This ED-based surveillance study indicated that fall prevention interventions in Pakistan should target children, older adult women, homes, and work sites.

Keywords: Falls; Pakistan; Surveillance.