A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study on the Epidemiology of Injuries in Raipur City, Chhattisgarh

Globally, injuries are a major public health concern. An injury is a physical damage that results when the human body is suddenly or briefly subjected to intolerable levels of energy.

The objectives of this study are to describe the nature and mechanism of injuries and their association with age and gender and to assess the health-seeking behavior and cost incurred due to mortality and morbidity related to injuries.

A cross-sectional study focused on the community was conducted in 10 chosen wards of Raipur City. The sample size was 310 injured individuals. The recall period was for a full year. Information was gathered by using a questionnaire that had been pretested. The results were given as percentages, and the association was determined using the chi-square test and Fischer's exact test.

The majority (30.1%) of the study subjects suffered from cut/bite/open wound injuries, followed by fractures (17.3%). The leading type of injury was caused by falls (38.8%) and road traffic injuries (34.9%), followed by burns (7.1%) and dog bites (5.4%). Ninety percent of the study subjects had taken medical care. Half of them (51.3%) visited a private hospital, and 23.1% did not visit any hospital for treatment. Fifty percent of the study subjects or their family had expenses less than Indian National Rupee (INR) 500. A significant association was found between age and fracture and the sprain type of injury. The burn type of injury was more among females, which is significantly associated. A significant association was found between age and injury caused by a dog bite, fall, and traffic. The association between gender and injury caused by traffic, burn, and fall was significant.

Focusing on reducing injury-related morbidity may be crucial in injury prevention techniques including behavioral changes, health education, and the urgent need for the proper implementation and oversight of a road safety act.