Study on Musculoskeletal Trauma in Al. Basrah General Hospital

Abstract

Background: Trauma is considered as a major epidemic of non-communicable diseases in the current century. Aims: To assess the pattern and characteristics of the trauma in order to plan for injury reduction and control strategy for the future. Methods: A total of 1400 patients were enrolled during the period from 1 st June to 30 th of December 2015. Interview was done for all the patients who presented to the emergency department of the AL Basrah General Hospital with a history of trauma. Results: The mean age of the patients was 21.81±17.74 years. Nearly one third (33.0%) of the patients were at the age of 1-9 years. Males (68.8%) were more frequently seen than females. The people who finished primary school (33.8%) and those who worked as Laborers (31.5%) were more exposed to trauma. Blunt trauma constituted (74.6%) of the main types and fall from standing (36.9%) was the most common type of blunt trauma followed by RTA (15.5%). Soft tissue injuries presented in (61.8%) of trauma patients and mostly were minor trauma (89.6%). Conclusion: Trauma is a major health problem, especially in the young male with age less than 20 years. Blunt trauma is more frequent than penetrating trauma, fall from standing accounting for the majority. Laborers with low educational level were more commonly exposed to trauma. High population density areas were increasing the rate of accidents.