War Wounded and Victims of Traffic Accidents in a Surgical Hospital in Africa: An Observation on Injuries.
BACKGROUND
Weapon injuries in armed conflict are likely to receive medical attention. Other types of injuries, like traffic accidents, continue to occur during armed conflict.


OBJECTIVE
Injuries caused by weapons and by traffic accidents require treatment, but reports and figures to help in prioritizing care are scarce.


METHODS
In a prospective observational study, all emergency patients admitted to the surgical ward in a public hospital of the Central African Republic were evaluated for the cause of their main injury. The proportion of patients injured by weapons and by traffic accidents was analyzed with respect to the level of violence.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight patients were included in this study. Weapon injuries accounted for 50 (64%) admissions and traffic accidents for 28 (36%). These proportions varied significantly according to the weekly level of violence (χ(2)=46.8; P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
People injured in traffic accidents are an important, but overlooked, drain on surgical resources in low-income countries with armed conflict. Their proportion in relation to weapon wounded fluctuates with the level of violence. Humanitarian medical organizations might prepare themselves not only for weapon injuries, but also for wounds caused by traffic accidents.
International Committee of the Red Cross,Geneva,Switzerland.
Martin
M
Schneider
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000067398:War-Related Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Africa; ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross; conflict; traffic accidents; war wounded