• O Kobusingye, D Guwatudde, and R Lett.
• Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. olive@imul.com
• Inj. Prev. 2001 Mar 1; 7 (1): 46-50.

ObjectivesTo describe and contrast injury patterns in rural and urban Uganda.SettingsOne rural and one urban community in Uganda.MethodsCommunity health workers interviewed adult respondents in households selected by multistage sampling, using a standardized questionnaire.ResultsIn the rural setting, 1,673 households, with 7,427 persons, were surveyed. Injuries had an annual mortality rate of 92/100,000 persons, and disabilities a prevalence proportion of 0.7%. In the urban setting 2,322 households, with 10,982 people, were surveyed. Injuries had an annual mortality rate of 217/100,000, and injury disabilities a prevalence proportion of 2.8%. The total incidence of fatal, disabling, and recovered injuries was 116/1,000/year. Leading causes of death were drowning in the rural setting, and road traffic in the city.ConclusionInjuries are a substantial burden in Uganda, with much higher rates than those in most Western countries. The urban population is at a higher risk than the rural population, and the patterns of injury differ. Interventions to control injuries should be a priority in Uganda.

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