Data from: Injuries, death, and disability associated with 11 years of conflict in Baghdad, Iraq: a randomized household cluster survey

Background: The objective of this study was to characterize injuries,
deaths, and disabilities arising during 11 years of conflict in Baghdad.
Methods: Using satellite imagery and administrative population estimated
size for Baghdad, 30 clusters were selected, proportionate to population
size estimates. Interviews were conducted during April and May 2014 in 900
households containing 5148 persons. Details about injuries and
disabilities occurring from 2003 through May 2014 and resultant
disabilities were recorded. Findings: There were 553 injuries reported by
Baghdad residents, 225 of which were intentional, and 328 unintentional.
For intentional injuries, the fatality rate was 39.1% and the disability
rate 56.0%. Gunshots where the major cause of injury through 2006 when
blasts/explosions became the most common cause and remained so through
2014. Among unintentional injuries, the fatality rate was 7.3% and the
disability rate 77.1%. The major cause of unintentional injuries was falls
(131) which have increased dramatically since 2008, followed by traffic
related injuries (81), which have steadily increased. The proportion of
injuries ending in disabilities remained fairly constant through the
survey period. Interpretation: Intentional injuries added substantially to
the burden of unintentional injuries for the population. For Baghdad, the
phases of the Iraqi conflict are reflected in the patterns of injuries and
consequent deaths reported. The scale of injuries during conflict is most
certainly under-reported. Difficulties recalling injuries in a survey
covering 11 years is a limitation, but it is likely that minor injuries
were under-reported more than severe injuries. The in- and out-migration
of Baghdad populations likely had effects on the events reported which we
could not measure or estimate. Damage to the health infrastructure and the
flight of health workers may have contributed to mortality and morbidity.
Civilian injuries as well as mortality should be measured during
conflicts, though not currently done.