The Incidence Of Intentional And Unintentional Injuries In A Private Tertiary Care Hospital In Telangana, India - A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Injuries, irrespective of being inflicted purposefully or by accident, have arisen as pressing issues in public health, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality.

The core objective of this exploration was to examine the frequency of occurrence and socio-demographic patterns, place, and determinants of harm resulting from both deliberate acts and accidental events in a tertiary healthcare setting located in Medchal Malkajgiri district, Telangana state, India.

METHOD: The clinical records maintained for each individual presenting with trauma who arrived at a private tertiary care hospital at Medchal Malkajgiri, Telangana, from August to January (6 months) were analyzed for sociodemographic data, segments of trauma cases, affected anatomical regions, antecedent medical information, and injury repercussions.

RESULTS: Of the 313 cases analyzed, 270 were classified as inadvertent and 43 as intentional. Males predominated, primarily aged 30–60 years. Few unintentional cases had prior medical histories, none among intentional ones. Spatially, intentional harm was mainly poisoning in domestic settings, while unintentional injuries were linked to road traffic accidents. Anatomically, intentional injuries involved the abdomen and thorax; unintentional injuries affected the extremities. Most patients required hospitalization, showed favorable outcomes, and were discharged in stable condition.

CONCLUSION: This study found injuries from fortuitous events occur more frequently than those stemming from deliberate actions, with road traffic accidents (RTA) emerging as the foremost cause. Among intentional injuries, poisoning was deemed the most dominant cause.