Psychosocial factors associated with physical injury among adults in Eswatini

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the psychosocial factors associated with physical injury among adults in Eswatini. The investigation included 3 281 individuals (15 to 69 years) from the 2014 Eswatini cross-sectional STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) survey. Results indicated that 8.5% of participants had physical injury in the past 12 months, 1.2% had a road traffic injury, 6.3% had other injury, and 2.4% had violence incidents in the past 12 months. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, younger age (15 to 24 years, and 25 to 34 years), exposure to childhood physical abuse, threats, family member attempted suicide, and past and current tobacco use were significantly and positively associated with injury. Furthermore, in separate multivariable models, binge drinking was significantly and positively associated with road traffic injury, and violent injury. Almost one in ten participants (8.5%) had any injury in the past 12 months. The results suggest that psychosocial antecedents should be integrated into injury prevention in this low-resourced country.