ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Diyarbakir, the rate of falls from height increases during summer months since people sleep on the unprotected balconies and roofs of their houses. We aimed to determine the frequency of falls from height and the related risk factors. METHODS: We used questionnaire method and clinical data in this study. The questionnaire was administered in 1445 residences. Clinical data were obtained from files of patients hospitalized due to trauma in the Neurosurgery Clinic of Dicle University over the last six years. RESULTS: In this questionnaire study, it was determined that 246 people had fallen, their average age was 15.4 years, 98% of them had fallen accidentally (mostly from 3.6 m height in summer months), mortality was 6.9%, and the prevalence of falls from height over the previous six years was 472/100,000. Of 464 patients who were hospitalized during the last six years, 326 were cases of fall from height and 59% of these patients were falls from a roof. The average age of these patients was 8.9 years, and average height of the fall was 4.2 m. CONCLUSION: Falls from height, particularly from roofs in Diyarbakir, remain a serious problem in terms of public health.