Firearm fatalities in the Transkei region of South Africa, 1993-2004.
BACKGROUND
Firearms are a causative factor in much violence-related morbidity and mortality, including suicide. Interventions focus on stricter gun control. In South Africa multisectoral collaboration is needed in this regard.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of firearm-related deaths in the Transkei region and to understand the underlying causative factors.


METHODS
A record review was undertaken of 10,860 medicolegal autopsies performed between 1993 and 2004 at Umtata General Hospital.


RESULTS
Between 1993 and 2004 10,860 autopsies were performed on patients who died as a result of trauma and other causes at Umtata General Hospital. The average number of gunshot related-deaths during this period was 48.4 per 100,000 of the population per year. The rate increased from 27/100,000 in 1993 to 42/100,000 in 2004. Firearm-related deaths accounted for 29% of all traumatic deaths, and males (82%) outnumbered females 4.6:1, although there is an increasing incidence among females. About 50% of these deaths were in the 21-40-year age group. Interpersonal violence, poverty, and use of drugs and alcohol were common underlying factors.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high incidence of firearm-related deaths in Transkei. Stricter gun control is required.
Meel
B L
BL
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. meel@getafix.utr.ac.za
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality*