Patterns of trauma injuries in rural versus urban Jamaica

Trauma admissions to St Ann's Bay Hospital in rural Jamaica and The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in the capital city of Kingston are compared. Trauma accounted for 19% and 22% of surgical admissions to UHWI and the St Ann's Bay Hospital, respectively. Sixty-three per cent of trauma cases admitted to the St Ann's Bay Hospital and 56% to the UHWI were due to unintentional injuries (95% CI, -0.05, 0.19). The main cause of unintentional injuries at both hospitals was motor vehicle accidents, accounting for 43% and 37% at UHWI and St Ann's Bay Hospital respectively (95% CI, -0.04, 0.17). The prevalence of falls was significantly higher in St Ann's Bay Hospital compared with UHWI, 41% and 26% respectively (95% CI, 0.10, 0.21). Intentional injuries accounted for 37% of cases in St Ann's Bay Hospital and 44% at UHWI (95% CI, -0.20, 0.04). The prevalence of firearm injuries was significantly higher at the UHWI than in St Ann's Bay Hospital, 55% and 18% respectively (95% CI, -0.15, -0.05). There was no significant difference in age and injury severity scores in the two hospitals but patients remained in hospital significantly longer at UHWI.