Burden of Lesser-Known Unintentional Non-Fatal Injuries in Rural Bangladesh: Findings from a Large-Scale Population-Based Study

Abstract

Around 90% of all fatal and non-fatal unintentional injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The magnitude of unintentional injuries is unclear due to limited research and data. This paper describes the burden of lesser-known injuries (LKIs—cut injuries, unintentional poisoning, machine injuries, electrocution, injury by blunt objects, and suffocation) in rural Bangladesh, using data from the Saving of Lives from Drowning (SoLiD) project in Bangladesh. Descriptive statistics were used to report counts and rates of injuries by socio-demographic factors, injury characteristics, and circumstantial details. The annual morbidity rate of LKIs was 6878 injuries per 100,000 persons, involving 3.4% (40,520) of the population. Cut injury (44,131.2/100,000 per year) and injury by blunt objects (19768.6/100,000 per year) attributed in large numbers to the overall burden of LKIs. Males (66.1%) suffered more injuries than females. More than half (52.9%) occurred among people aged 25 to 64 years. Those involved in agriculture suffered the most injuries, mainly cut injuries (9234.1/100,000 per year) and machine-related injuries (582.9/100,000 per year). Most injuries occurred in the home setting. Increased awareness about packaging, storage, and the proper handling of appliances can help lower the frequency of LKIs. Safe architecture and awareness about home injuries is required to reduce injuries occurring in the home environment.