Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
GUNSHOT INJURIES AS SEEN AT THE AGA KHAN HOSPITAL, NAIROBI, KENYA
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence, injury patterns, offender-victim characteristics,
treatment and outcome of firearm-related injuries at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.
Design: Retrospective descriptive study.
Setting: The Aga Khan Hospital, a major private hospital in Nairobi.
Subjects: One hundred and seven patients who presented at the Aga Khan Hospital Accident
and Emergency Department (January 1993- December 1998) with firearm injuries and were
subsequently hospitalised. There were 97 males and 10 females aged four to 94 years. The
mean age was 39 years.
Results: The peak incidence was in the 40-49 year age group. The male to female ratio was
10:1. The victim offender was a thug, thief or robber in 74.7% of cases. Law enforcement
officers were responsible for 9.4% of the injuries. The Injury Severity Scores (ISS) ranged
from one to 32 with mean score of 8.25. Injuries involving the extremities were the most
prevalent. There were 31 major operations performed. The complication rate was 35.5%. Six
(6.5%) of these patients died.
Conclusion: Gunshot injuries cause profound morbidity and significant mortality. A wider
and larger study needs to be undertaken to elucidate the true nature of firearm injuries.
treatment and outcome of firearm-related injuries at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.
Design: Retrospective descriptive study.
Setting: The Aga Khan Hospital, a major private hospital in Nairobi.
Subjects: One hundred and seven patients who presented at the Aga Khan Hospital Accident
and Emergency Department (January 1993- December 1998) with firearm injuries and were
subsequently hospitalised. There were 97 males and 10 females aged four to 94 years. The
mean age was 39 years.
Results: The peak incidence was in the 40-49 year age group. The male to female ratio was
10:1. The victim offender was a thug, thief or robber in 74.7% of cases. Law enforcement
officers were responsible for 9.4% of the injuries. The Injury Severity Scores (ISS) ranged
from one to 32 with mean score of 8.25. Injuries involving the extremities were the most
prevalent. There were 31 major operations performed. The complication rate was 35.5%. Six
(6.5%) of these patients died.
Conclusion: Gunshot injuries cause profound morbidity and significant mortality. A wider
and larger study needs to be undertaken to elucidate the true nature of firearm injuries.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
