Prevalence and correlates of unintentional and intentional non-fatal injury among men and women in Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of injury among men and women in Kenya. In a cross-sectional nationally representative survey in 2015, 1799 men and 2701 women 18-69 years responded the STEPS survey questionnaire. The distribution of injury needing medical attention in the past 12 months was as follows: road traffic injury 5.0% among men and 1.3% among women, other injury 12.0% among men and 8.8% among women, violent injury 5.2% among men and 2.7% among women and any injury 18.7% among men and 11.8% among women. In adjusted Poisson regression analysis, among both men and women, inconsistent designated road crossing and driver drink driving were associated with any injury. In addition, among men, younger age, consistent seatbelt use, consistent bicycle helmet use and past month binge drinking, and among women, being middle-aged (45-59 years), lower education, and high physical activity were associated with any injury. A high proportion of men and women in Kenya had sustained an injury, and several gender specific risk factors were identified that help guide injury prevention efforts in Kenya.

Key words: Injury, gender, demographic factors, health variables, Kenya