Objective

To identify factors associated with hospitalization for injuries in patients treated in the emergency departments of two hospitals.

Material and Methods

Cross-sectional study on a sample of injured patients over the age of fifteen, who were treated in the emergency department of two hospitals in Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were conducted to estimate the risks by odds ratio (OR) and to identify the factors associated with the likelihood of hospitalization.

Results

De los 505 lesionados, 10,7% requirieron ser hospitalizados. The risk of hospitalization was associated mainly to the male gender (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.1), age 46 years or over (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.5), drinking before the injury (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.6), and violence (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.9). Regarding the type of injury, fractures showed the highest risk (OR=7.4, 95% CI 3.0-17.8).

Conclusion

The results showed that some factors increased the risk of hospitalization for injuries. Such information can be used to propose strategies and develop interventions that may influence prevention of risk factors that result in serious injuries that lead to hospitalization.