Epidemiological trends of trauma in tertiary care centre in dakshina kannada district of karnataka, India.
OBJECTIVE
To study the pattern and burden of trauma cases which presented to a tertiary care centre in an upcoming Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka, India.


METHODS
This was an epidemiological study. Data was collected by purposive sampling technique. Study period lasted from Jan 2013 to Aug 2013. Collected data was analyzed.


RESULTS
The annual incidence of trauma at our centre was 15.96% (1140 cases). Most of the injuries were reported in 21-30 years age group. The male to female ratio was approximately 2.3:1. Limb injury (66.92%) constituted the commonest form of injury. Among the various injuries, fall was the commonest cause of injury (60.78%), followed by RTA (16.75%) and assault (11.6%). A majority of the cases were admitted during night time (61.24%).


CONCLUSIONS
There has been an alarming increase in the number of trauma cases in the past decade. The target age group being the most productive one; it affects the economy directly . There is a need of urgent protective measures which are required for the benefit of the community.
Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Father Muller Medical College Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
Caren
C
Dsouza
Assistant Professor, Department of Ear Nose and Throat, Father Muller Medical College Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
Vinay V
VV
Rao
Postgraduate Resident, Department of General Surgery, Father Muller Medical College Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
Arun
A
Kumar
Professor, Department of General Surgery, Father Muller Medical College Mangalore, Karnataka, India .
Erel
E
Diaz
Assault; Epidemiology; Fall from height; Road traffic accidents; Trauma