title: Epidemiology of animal-related injuries in a high-income developing country.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence, mechanisms, types, anatomical distribution, and outcome of animal related-injuries in Al-Ain, the United Arab Emirates in order to improve preventive measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included all patients admitted to Al-Ain Hospital with animal-related injuries for more than 24 hours or the patients who died in the Emergency Department between March 2003 and March 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were eighty-nine (2.3%) patients, of whom 99% were males. The median age of the patients was 30 (range, 5-89) years. Camel-related injuries were the most common (84.3%) injuries followed by cow-related injuries (6.7%). 88.7% of the injuries occurred at work. Animal kick was the most common mechanism of injury (32.6%) followed by falls (30.3%). Upper extremity was the most commonly injured region. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 4 (range, 1-13) and the median hospital stay was 6 (range, 1-53) days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of animal-related injuries were caused by camels. Experience in handling the animals, a good knowledge of animal behavior along with using safety devices and prevention education can reduce the toll of animal-related injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Hani O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Ashraf F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hefny
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Surgery, Al-Ain Hospital, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Fikri M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Abu-Zidan
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult