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Injuries Among Afghan Refugees: Review of Evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Khurram Nasir ,
Adnan A. Hyder  and
C. M. Shahbaz
Khurram Nasir
Affiliation:
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Adnan A. Hyder*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor and Leon Robertson Faculty Development Chair, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
C. M. Shahbaz
Affiliation:
Medical Student, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
*
Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Suite E-8132, Baltimore, Maryland 21205USA E-mail: ahyder@jhsph.edu
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Abstract

Background:

Injuries are a public health problem in developing countries resulting in major financial and productivity losses. Injuries in vulnerable populations, such as refugees, make an even greater impact on loss of life. Afghan refugees in Pakistan continue to form one of the world's largest refugee populations. This study systemically reviews the literature to estimate the magnitude and prevalence of intentional and unintentional injuries in Afghan refugees, and explores the implications of the findings for refugee healthcare policy and development of potential interventions specifically for Afghan refugees.

Methods:

Electronic databases of MEDLINE, POPLINE, Refworld, and Winspirs were searched. In addition, a web search was conducted and specific organizational websites were reviewed. The search in developing countries was limited to studies in English or with an English abstract for the years 1966–2001.

Results:

The literature review identified patients with reported war injuries who presented to hospitals. Injuries to extremities (45%) were more frequent than injuries to the head or neck (36%, p <0.001), and thorax/abdomen (14%, p <0.001) regions. A majority of the injuries were caused by explosives, which included landmines (32.5%), fragmentations, such as shrapnel (33%), and firearms (27%). The mean incidence of mortality in these studies was 11%.

Conclusions:

Despite such an extensive search, limited information was found pertinent to injuries in Afghan refugees residing in refugee camps. This dearth of literature on the prevalence of injuries, risk factors, and outcomes among this vulnerable group is a research and policy gap for public health. Specific quantitive and qualitative studies in this field are required to shape refugee healthcare policies and develop intervention programs.

Keywords

Afghansinjuriespublic healthrefugee campsrefugeesrisk factorsvulnerability
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , June 2004 , pp. 169 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2004

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