Injury surveillance: should it be a concern to developing countries?
Injuries have now become a recognizable public health problem in developing countries. However, no definite policies regarding their surveillance and control are yet available in most of these countries. This paper, using Ghana as a prototype, examines the need for policy and action which has been accentuated in recent times by public outcry. The paper also provides some recommendations to solve this problem: the urgent need to initiate programs such as needs assessment, the establishment of a surveillance system for injuries at various levels of health services, creation of public awareness and provision of health education, and the institution of simple first-aid measures. Specific policies regarding injuries from motor vehicle accidents and fires are also given.
Forjuoh
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Department of Maternal and Child Health, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Gyebi-Ofosu
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D003906:Developing Countries; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006266:Health Education; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control