Open AccessInjury Related Deaths in Singapore
Author(s) -
Leong MKF,
Mujumdar S,
Raman L,
Lim YH,
Chao TC,
Anantharaman V
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490790301000205
Subject(s) - medicine , epidemiology , injury prevention , blunt , poison control , occupational safety and health , mortality rate , emergency medicine , cause of death , medical emergency , suicide prevention , population , pediatrics , environmental health , surgery , disease , pathology
Background Injury is the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality amongst the younger age groups. Management of injuries has been identified as one of the major health issues facing our community. The study objective was to define the epidemiology of injury related deaths in Singapore. Methods A nationwide review of all deaths arising as a result of injury in 1995 was conducted. Results There were 913 cases with an injury mortality rate of 27 per 100,000 population. Ninety‐seven percent (97%) were due to blunt injury. Falls from heights from deliberate self‐harm was the commonest mechanism, followed by motor vehicle collisions (MVC). Fifty‐two percent (52%) of MVC deaths were motorcyclists or pillion riders. Sixty‐six percent (66%) of all deaths occurred in the prehospital phase. Central nervous system injury was the main cause of hospital deaths. Conclusion Results from this study will help our community focus on the appropriate preventive strategies to reduce mortality and the cost of injuries to our society.