944 Falls related injuries in Bangladesh: experiences from a community-based surveillance system. (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chowdhury, Salim Mahmud; Taleb, Abu; Rahman, Fazlur
• Is Part Of: Injury prevention. Volume 22(2016)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A336
• Page End: A336
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: Falls -- Bangladesh -- Surveillance -- Community; Children's accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042156.944
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8047

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Injuries have become a major public health concern in Bangladesh due to epidemiological transition. Falls among children is one of the leading cause of childhood morbidity in Bangladesh. Falls among adults has great impacts on our economy as falls is a major cause of permanent and long-term disability. However, falls among whole population has not yet been studied. In this study, we aimed at exploring the distribution and determinants of falls among all age groups. Methods: A community-based active surveillance system covering around 150, 000 population was developed in three unions (lowest administrative infrastructure) of a sub-district of Sirajgonj district, Bangladesh in 2005. Every year, four rounds of data are being collected from the each and every households of the surveillance areas by the trained surveillance data collectors. One year data (July 2009 to June 2010) generated from this surveillance system was analysed for this study. Findings: Rate of non-fatal falls was higher among children (<18 years) than adults (405.24 and 304.60 per 100, 000 population per year respectively). Falls from the same level (67.1%) was significantly higher that falls from height (32.9%) and slipping or tripping was the main mechanism for falls from the same level. Most of the falls occurred in the sport areas (18.9%) followed by street (17.2%). Accidental falls was the main mechanism for falls from height (32.6%). For falls from height, trees were identified as the most common place (40.7%) whereas height of the most of the incidents were less than 1 metre. Most of the falls occurred in the yards (34.6%). Mean days for school loss among the injured students were 13.39 + 14.15 while workday loss among injured person was 12.65 + 14.54. Among the productive age groups, most of the injured persons were the main income earners of the family. Conclusion: Considering the extent of falls in Bangladesh, the issue needs to be addressed on priority basis. Findings of this study could be a knowledgebase for developing an evidence-based intervention to address the issue.