The use of hospital medical records for child injury surveillance in northern Malawi.
Our study evaluates the usefulness and the limitations of using the medical records of a central referral hospital to develop a child injury surveillance system in northern Malawi. The most prevalent types of injury were falls (29.6%), road traffic injuries (22.0%), burns (21.4%) and poisoning (15.1%). Older children (aged 5-14 years), in the cool-dry season (May to August) and the hot-dry season (September to October), were significant predictors for total injury admissions. Our study indicated that hospital medical records are a valuable component of a child injury surveillance system and can illustrate the trends and patterns of moderate to severe injuries as well as suggest potential prevention strategies for local settings. Combined with a specially designed trauma registry form, it is possible for developing countries at local level to combat the emerging public health issues.
Yu
Kwong Leung
KL
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Bong
Chin Nam
CN
Huang
Meng Chuan
MC
Chen
Chih Cheng
CC
Ko
Ying Chin
YC
Chang
Po Ya
PY
Chen
Tai Heng
TH
Chiang
Hung Che
HC
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012042:Registries