W Indian Med J
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Trauma accounted for 20% of all admissions to the general surgery wards of this University Hospital in a developing country. It was the most common reason for admission. This condition affects the young, males more commonly than females, and results in the need for operation in almost 40% of admitted trauma patients. ⋯ The head, chest and abdomen are, in order of frequency, the most commonly affected areas of the body, and injury is mainly the result of interpersonal violence (52%), accidental injuries including burns (20%), and road traffic accidents (20%). In-patient mortality was 4.5%, significantly higher in older patients and mainly in those with head injuries and burns. Scarce resources and resource misallocation mandate preventive measures to minimize the human and economic waste.