study of injuries at the primary care level in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

One of the essential elements of PHC is appropriate treatment of injuries. Injuries are the most serious public health problem. Therefore the studies of the incidence and risk factors of injuries are needed to provide direction in planning and implementation of appropriate preventive programs. The aim of the present work was to study the pattern of injuries recorded at the PHC level, to study the referral system and feed back of injuries, as well as to study the role of PHC centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs. Data about injuries in the last five years [1989-1993] was collected from the primary emergency posts and the main Ambulance Center in Kom EI-Deka. Moreover, repeated visits to different PHC centers were done to study the referral system and feed back and the role of these centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs. The results revealed the defective referral system for injuries between PHC centers and the primary emergency posts as well as the feed back mechanism. Moreover, there was no health education program provided in the study PHC centers about prevention of injuries. The results revealed that there was decline in the occurrence of injuries from the year 1989 to the year 1993. The case fatality of injuries increased from the year 1989 to the year 1993. Injuries were higher among males and among age group of more than 15 years. Accidents due to cars were more prevalent than other types. There is a need for accurate data recording at the primary care level, good referral system and feed back about injuries. The role of PHC centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs should be stressed