Injury-related mortality in South African children, 1981-1985

Data on all registered deaths in children less than 15 years in the RSA (excluding Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei) were analysed for 1981-1985. Variations in age, sex and population group pattern for different causes of injury were evaluated. Injury accounted for 8% of deaths in children less than 15 years and was the leading cause of death between the ages of 5 years and 14 years (accounting for 43% of deaths). Motor vehicle accidents were the most important cause of injury deaths in all age groups except less than 1 year, when accidental choking and suffocation resulted in more deaths. Drowning accounted for 19% of injury deaths and burns for 11%. In 14% of injury deaths it was not determined if the injury was accidental or purposefully inflicted. In all age and population groups deaths among boys outnumbered girls. The impact and pattern of injury varied considerably between age and population groups and reasons for these findings are discussed.