Characteristics of injuries presenting to a rural health centre in western Kenya

Objectives: To describe characteristics of injuries among patients presenting to a rural health centre in western Kenya, and identify the associated risk factors. Design: A retrospective descriptive study. Setting: A primary care Ministry of Health Rural Health Centre in western Kenya. Results: Of the 315 injured patients, 62% were males and 38% females. Young adults aged 15-44 years were the most affected, comprising 63.5%. The five most common causes of injury were struck by object (36.6%), assault (34.4%), falls (11.6%), burns (6.2%) and road traffic accidents (4.7%). Quarrels and fights were the leading reasons for assaults among males (69.5%) and females (44.4%). Most injuries occurred at work (36.2%), when subjects were engaged in vital activities (19.5%) or during play/leisure time (19.2%). A third of injured adults aged 15 years and above had consumed alcohol prior to the injury event. Alcohol use was significantly associated with assaults (51.3%) than all other causes of injury (OR=4.51, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The pattern and certain risk factors for non-fatal injuries among patients attending a rural health centre, such as place of occurrence, activity and alcohol use, can be identified through a facility-based electronic injury surveillance system. The information can be used to develop context-specific injury prevention interventions in the community.