Hospitalization of injured immigrants in Poland - demographic profile and diagnosis

Introduction and objective. More and more immigrants gradually come to Poland. Little is known, however, about their health situation or their injuries. The objective of this study was to analyse the cases of hospitalization of immigrants due to injuries in 2008–2010, including the number and demographic characteristics of the patients, as well as the nature of injury according to ICD-10 (S00-T98). Material and methods. The analysis was conducted on the basis of data from the General Hospital Morbidity Study. All the cases of hospitalization due to injuries were covered by the analysis, and a group of foreigners was compared to the general population. Results. The number of foreigners hospitalized due to injuries ranged from 4.6–21.2 thousand in the subsequent years. The share of hospitalization due to injuries equalled 8.2–11.9% of all foreigners’ hospital stay. The majority were males, but the proportion of females gradually increased up to 36.7% in 2010. The average age of the hospitalized gradually decreased to the age of 35.2 in 2010. The structure of the nature of injury was different from that of the general population. Prevailing types of injuries were minor injuries of wrist, hand, ankle and foot. Open wounds of the head were also common. Conclusions. Results of the analysis indicate the most important tendencies related to immigrants’ injuries. Further research, as well as monitoring the foreigners’ health status is necessary. Taking preventive measures is essential among the most vulnerable group – male immigrants aged 15–19.