OBJECTIVELivestock-related injuries are one of the important factors causing morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital. Treatment of these patients is still a major problem in health care system. The aim of current study was to assess the epidemiology of livestock-related injuries in a major trauma center in Iran from 2006 to 2011.

METHODSIn a prospective study, patients with livestock-related injuries who were consecutively admitted to the trauma center in Kashan, Iran between 2006 and 2011 were evaluated. The data collected included patient's demographics, place and nature of accident, damaged organ, educational level, transport and outcome. Data were expressed as mean +/- standard deviation.

RESULTSA total of 129 patients were included in this study, accounting for 0.3% of all trauma admission (40 273 cases). The mean age was (55.27 +/- 14.45) years. Men were affected four times more than women. Falling down from livestock is the main mechanism of trauma in all groups. Upper and lower extremities were most frequently injured (n equal to 72), followed by the head, neck and spine (n equal to 33 for each). There was one death resulting from livestock-related injury in this study.

CONCLUSIONDespite the low incidence, livestock-related injuries can damage major organs of human body and therefore appropriate training program to increase the safety awareness in home and outdoor is very important.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Livestock ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Trauma Centers ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology