The analysis of the causative factors and types of traumas in disabled inhabitants of rural areas in Poland.

Traumas, accidents and intoxications are one of the main medical as well as social problems of the end of the previous and the present century. The number of accidents in the rural areas has been rising for the past 20 years. Little or lack of knowledge on protection of the own health against traumas, accidents and intoxications, as well as incidents such as electrocution or drowning, is a considerable problem. The study comprised 3,853 disabled persons and was carried out on the basis of physical examination (File of medical examination, File of environmental studies, File of the disabled). There were carried out statistical analyses concerning relationships of age, gender, employment, level of education and health state. The results of the studies conducted in the years 1987-2000 testify to the fact that among numerous reasons of trauma, there predominate falls, accidents connected with operating machines and appliances, mainly electric, road accidents, blows and crushes, contact with farm animals as well as electrocution and resulting burns. The most common sequels of accidents is trauma to lower extremities, upper extremities, head, thorax, spine, multiple trauma and general contusion.