|
KMID : 0915820100110020085
|
|
Journal of Korean Alcohol Science
2010 Volume.11 No. 2 p.85 ~ p.93
|
|
|
Analysis of the Characteristics of Injury of Emergency Room Patients Injured in Alcohol Related Incidents
|
|
Chun Sung-Soo
Sohn Ae-Ree
Yun Sun-Mi
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
Objective: This study was designed to compare the characteristics of injury between injured patients in general and injured patients in alcohol related incidents within 6 hours prior to the injury.
Method: The participants in this study were injured patients from the Emergency Rooms of four General Hospitals in four big cities in South Korea. From October 2008 to July 2009, each hospital interviewed 500 injured patients who were over 18 years old. The hospitals followed WHO protocol and procedure. Data from a total of 1,989 questionnaires were used in the final analysis.
Results: The major findings are summarized as follows: 1. Among the alcohol-related injury patients, the highest percentage of injury (44.0%) were cuts and stabs. And the next highest one (37.0%) were bruises and abrasions. Statistically, this is significantly higher than the 32.8% and 29.8% respectively among non alcohol injured patients. 2. Among the injured patients from alcohol related incidents, there were 33.2% of injuries from falls and 31.9% from bruises, compared to injured patients in general where there were 26.3% of injuries from falls, 18.0% from bruises, and 17.5% from stabs, cuts and bites. 3. There were big differences in the places where the injuries occurred (p<.001): 29.6% happened in bars and premises for alcohol related injury patients compared to 0.4% for patients with injuries in general. Most injuries occurred on the road in both alcohol related and general cases. Injuries sustained at home were remarkably higher for alcohol related injuries than for injuries in general: 26.2% and 16.6% respectively. 4. The time that injury occurred for Emergency Room visitors showed increasing frequency for patients with alcohol related injuries from 8pm and onwards: 14.0% from 8pm to 11pm, 12.3% around midnight and 11.1% around 1am. Also, frequency continues to increase between 2am and 4am. 5. Most of injuries among non alcohol-related patients were unintentional injuries (96.3%), but among alcohol related injury patients 4.5% were self-inflicted intentional injuries including suicide, and 20.1% were intentional violence caused by other people.
Conclusion: Alcohol-related injuries occurrence is patterned and predictable, therefore, risk factors can be visible and can be avoided. Since alcohol is one of the major factors of injuries, one way to eliminate or to lessen the burden of injuries is to inform the public of the risks associated to alcohol.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
emergency room, injury, alcohol-related injury, alcohol
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|