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Current changes in the epidemiology of fall-related injuries in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates.

Authors :
Arif Alper Cevik
David O Alao
Hani O Eid
Michal Grivna
Fikri M Abu-Zidan
Source :
PLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 9, p e0257398 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2021.

Abstract

BackgroundFalls in the Gulf countries are the second most common cause of injuries. The United Arab Emirates government implemented various preventive measures to decrease injuries in the country. We aimed to evaluate the changes in the epidemiology of fall-related injuries in Al-Ain City over the last decade.MethodsData of hospitalized patients who presented with fall-related injuries to the Al-Ain Hospital during the two periods of March 2003 to March 2006 and January 2014 to December 2017 were compared. This included patients' demographics, mechanism, location, anatomical distribution and parameters related to injury severity. Non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis.Results882 in the first and 1358 patients in the second period were studied. The incidence of falls decreased by 30.5% over ten years. The number of elderly, female patients, and UAE nationals increased, (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, and p < 0.001). Falls from height decreased by 32.5% (p < 0.001) while fall on the same level increased by 22.5% (p < 0.001). Fall-related injuries at home have increased significantly by 22.6% (p ConclusionsOur study showed that the overall incidence of falls decreased compared to a decade ago. The preventive measures were effective in reducing falls from height and workplace injuries. Future preventive measures should target falls at the same level and homes.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
16
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6eb9fbaaf33e466185ea4124221a3cf3
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257398