• W O Kaisha and S Khainga.
• Department of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 368 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
• East Afr Med J. 2008 Mar 1;85(3):123-8.

ObjectiveTo assess the causes and pattern of hand injuries in patients with isolated unilateral acute hand injuries managed at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).DesignA prospective cross-sectional descriptive study.SettingKenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya, between May and August 2006.SubjectsAll patients with isolated unilateral acute hand injuries who presented at the casualty department.ResultsA total of 99 patients were recruited. The mean age was 28.2 years with the modal age being 21-30 years. More males were injured than females. Occupational injuries and assaults were the most prevalent causes of hand injury. Majority of the injuries included lacerations, fractures and tendon injuries. The distal phalanges of the ring and long fingers were the most common sites of injury on the digits.ConclusionOccupational hand injuries, a largely preventable problem, are the most prevalent cause of hand injury. This offers opportunity for strategies in preventing a large number of hand injuries by initiating safety measures at the work place.

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