Injury Epidemiology in Rural Pondicherry, India
Author Information
Author(s): Kalaiselvana Ganapathy, Dongre Amol R., Mahalakshmy T.
Primary Institution: Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College, Pondicherry, India
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and nature of injuries among the rural population of Pondicherry?
Conclusion
The study found a high prevalence of injuries, particularly among men and those over 18, with many relying on potentially harmful traditional treatments.
Supporting Evidence
- 30.6% of the rural population reported injuries in the last year.
- 99.2% of reported injuries were accidental.
- 58.2% of injured individuals sought treatment from government doctors.
- Common causes of injuries included falls, road traffic accidents, and agricultural injuries.
- Focus group discussions revealed the use of potentially harmful traditional remedies.
Takeaway
Injuries are common in rural Pondicherry, especially among men, and many people use unsafe home remedies instead of going to doctors.
Methodology
A triangulated study using quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group discussions.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on housewives as proxy respondents for injury reporting.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data, which may not be accurate, and was based on a non-probability sample.
Participant Demographics
Participants included households from five selected villages in rural Pondicherry, with a total population of 8,920.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI-1.36-1.70
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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