Patterns of accidental deaths in Kuwait: a retrospective descriptive study from 2003–2009

BMC Public Health

Salah Al-Waheeb²  Nadia Al-Kandary¹ 

[1] Director of the Forensic Pathology Unit, General Department of Criminal Evidence, Ministry of Interior, Farwaniyah, Kuwait;Assistant Professor of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Shamiyah, Kuwait City Code 71661, Kuwait

关键词: Asphyxia;    Death;    Accident;   

Others  :  1164168
DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-015-1630-8

 received in 2014-07-27, accepted in 2015-03-12,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

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.

Conclusion

The government of Kuwait needs to take strong measures to promote safety in the workplace and households by educational campaigns.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Al-Kandary and Al-Waheeb; licensee BioMed Central.

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