Demographic Properties of Civilians with Blast Injuries in Southeastern Anatolia Region

Omer Kacmaz; Recep Dursun; Hasan Mansur Durgun; Mehmet Akdag; Murat Orak; Mehmet Ustundag; Cahfer Gulloglu

doi:10.5505/1304.7361.2014.25993

Omer Kacmaz¹, Recep Dursun¹, Hasan Mansur Durgun¹, Mehmet Akdag², Murat Orak¹, Mehmet Ustundag¹, Cahfer Gulloglu¹

¹Dicle University Medical Faculty, Emergency Medicine Department, Diyarbakir, Turkey
²Dicle University Medical Faculty, Ear Nose And Throat Department, Diyarbakir, Turkey

Keywords: Amputation; blast injury; explosives

Abstract

Objectives
The present study conducted demographic analysis of blast injuries, with the authors aiming to guide the determination of groups and regions at risk, helping hospitals take preventive measures and providing information for accurate triage, rapid intervention, multidisciplinary approach, and lowering workforce losses.

Methods
This study retrospectively examined the demographic properties of civilians who presented to the Emergency Department of Dicle University after being injured in explosions of various origins between January 2005 and September 2013 in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.

Results
Of the study population, 85.50% were male and 14.50% were female. The explosive responsible for injury was a mine in 20.51% of the cases, a bomb in 29.06%, a squib in 14.53%, dynamite in 7.69%, and some other explosive in the remaining 28.31%. Of those injured, 35.90% were students, 21.36% were farmers, 11.10% were shepherds or drivers, and 31.62% were from other occupational groups.

Conclusions
In conclusion, injuries resulting from explosions are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates, making it necessary to increase the number of trauma centers and emergency action teams in that region, as well as demining the region and educating the native population about explosives.