Characteristics of senior citizens with trauma treated at the Regional Hospital of Malanje, Angola

Abstract

Background: with population aging, traumatic injuries in senior citizens are a motive for frequent visits to surgical emergency departments. In Africa, the information available on injuries in senior citizens is limited.Objective: to describe the main characteristics of senior citizens affected by traumatism, treated at the emergency department of the Regional Hospital of Malanje, Angola, in the year 2019.Methods: an observational descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the aforementioned hospital and during the period herein declared. The universe consisted of 78 senior citizens, with different kinds of trauma. The following variables were assessed: age group, sex, affected body region, kind of trauma, trauma mechanism and treatment. For the analysis of the data descriptive statistics was used.Results: 55,1 % were women and the 60 to 69 age group prevailed in both sexes (74,3 %). Lower limbs were the most affected body regions (30,8 %) and fractures (42,4 %) were the predominant type of injury. 43,5 % of the cases suffered from falls and 30,8 % had a road accident. Immobilizations were ordered in 42,4 % of the cases.Conclusions: the main characteristics of geriatric patients affected with trauma were described, with predominance in age groups less advanced in years than the ones traditionally reported.

Keywords

• aged
• fractures, bone
• wounds and injuries
• accidental injuries