ETIOLOGY AND IMPLICATIONS OF DOMESTIC INJURIES IN THE ELDERLY

This study was conducted in ten major city hospitals and twelve city c ouncil health clinics ha Nairobi, Hospital records covering the period 1986 to 1990 were reviewed, Information on age, sex, occupation, type and cause of injury, the management and outcome of treatment was extr acted from the records, This article focuses on the elderly aged 55 ye ars and above, The results indicate that falls inside the house accoun ted for most (69%) of the injuries. This was followed by accidental cu ts (27%) and injuries resulting from domestic violence (26%). The main types of injuries recorded were open wounds (56%), followed by head i njuries (24%) and fractures (21%), Most of the injuries (more than 63% ) occurred in the low income areas (mainly Mathare and Eastlands). The se injuries have implications on care for the elderly and on the cost to the individual, the health facilities and the nation, The results i ndicate that domestic injuries are a common occurrence among the elder ly and there is meed to focus on prevention and cost-effective case ma nagement strategies.