title: Patterns of accidental deaths in Kuwait: a retrospective descriptive study from 2003-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accidents are a preventable cause of death. Unfortunately it accounts for a large number of deaths in many societies. In Kuwait, road traffic accidents (RTA) is the leading cause of death in young people. The study investigated the patterns of accidental deaths in Kuwait, one of the Gulf States which incorporates a wide variety of multi-ethnic communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was retrospective from 2003-2009. Data of forensic cases were collected from the general department of criminal evidence (GDCE) in the ministry of interior (MOI).We attempted to find out causes of accidental death and the prevelance of each cause. Furthermore, the relationship of demographic factors (eg. Age, sex, marital status and nationality) with each cause of accidental death in Kuwait were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The material of this study constituted a total of 4886 reported accidental deaths referred for Medico-legal examination. Road traffic accidents was by far the most prevalent cause of death (64.6%) followed by fall from height (13.1%). Poisoning and mine explosions were amongst the least common causes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The government of Kuwait needs to take strong measures to promote safety in the workplace and households by educational campaigns.
authors.affiliation: Director of the Forensic Pathology Unit, General Department of Criminal Evidence, Ministry of Interior, Farwaniyah, Kuwait. pathgirl.n@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Kandary
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Po Box 72, Shamiyah, Kuwait City, Code 71661, Kuwait. salah.w@hsc.edu.kw.
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Waheeb
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult