Effects of Emergency Injury Care (EIC) Training for the Community Volunteers in the Rural Community of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Injury is the leading causes of morbidity and mortality including disability worldwide. Emergency Injury Care (EIC) is provided to stabilize casualties with life-threatening injury in an emergency situation by an EIC trained person until refer. Emergency care immediately after occurrence of an injury can reduce the burden of disease and also prevent unwanted deaths. This study looked at effects of EIC training in emergency care by the volunteers at community. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in where community volunteers were received a three days training on emergency injury care by the medical doctors. Each volunteer was allowed to provide EIC in their community if any injury occurs. Data was collected after four months using a structured checklist. Results: EIC volunteers treated 1,362 casualties during July and October 2008. Among them 52.5% (n=742) were male and 45.5% (n=620) were female. Majority of injury was cut about 68% followed by fall injury 14.3%. A total number of 143 casualties were referred to the government health facilities after providing EICs. Conclusion: Emergency injury care training for the community volunteers found to be useful in quick assessment, emergency care and timely transfer to the facilities in the rural community. EIC is found to be potential in reducing burden of injury in Bangladesh.