Injuries Reported by Selected Health Facilities During the Arbaeenia Mass Gathering at Babel Governorate, Iraq, 2014: Retrospective Records Analysis

• DOI: 10.2196/10877
• Publication Date: 2019-10-18T23:30:01Z
• Authors: Abdulaal Chitheer; Faris Lami; Ahmed Radhi; Ali Arbaji
• Keywords: Mass gathering; Coroner; Demographics; Medical record

Background Arbaeenia is the largest religious mass gathering in Iraq. The conditions associated with gatherings result high rates of injury. There have been no prior studies on injuries during gathering. Objective This study describes observed Babel Governorate Iraq between November 24 and December 14, 2014. Methods was conducted at emergency departments six public hospitals two major temporary medical units that were located along three roads connecting Middle Southern Iraqi governorates. We used Injury Surveillance System modified form to collect information injured patients treated selected facilities. Data fatal obtained from coroner’s office. following data collected patients: demographics, outcome injury, place time occurrence, mode evacuation care before arriving hospital, duration travel occurrence disposition non-fatal cause whether injury occurred connection Results Information 1564 cases, which 73 fatal. About half reported nonfatal injuries, 687/1404 (48.9%), a quarter fatalities, 18/73 (25%) related (P<.001). Most unintentional, 1341/1404 (95.51%), street, 864/1323 (65.6%), daytime 1103/1174 (93.95 %). those evacuated by means other than ambulance 1107/1206 (91.79%) did not receive pre-hospital 788/1163 (67.7%). Minor 400/1546 (25.9%) traffic accidents 394/1546 (25.5%) most common types followed falls 270/1546 (17.5%). Among 38/73 (52%) violence leading causes death. Mass more likely occur among individuals aged 21-40 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% CI 2.7-4.5) >41 (OR 7.6; 5.4-10.6) versus <21 years; be unintentional assault 5.3; 1.8-15.5); happen street home 37.7; 22.4-63.6); less night day 0.2; 0.1-0.4); hospital admission 0.5; 0.3-0.7). Conclusions shows minor, nonfatal, people had limited access transportation require hospitalization.