The epidemiology of injury and illness at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Netball is a physical game with sudden direction changes, decelerations, jumping and landing, stop/start maneuvers and restrictive footwork rules exposing players to injury. Close contact play and shared facilities during tournaments, increase illness risk.Objective: To describe incidence, period prevalence, types and severity of injuries and illnesses during the 10-day Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 (NWC).Methods: All players from 16 teams consented (n = 192). Medical staff recorded injuries (840 exposure hours), illnesses (1440 player-days) and time-loss. Main outcome measures included incidence (I) calculated as injury/1000 player-hours and illness/1000 player-days, period prevalence (PP) and severity (time-loss) of all match injuries and illnesses. RESULTS: 39 players sustained 46 match injuries (I = 54.76; PP = 20.31%). Lower limb injuries (I = 29.76), specifically the ankle (I = 13.10) were most common with lateral ankle ligament sprains the highest (I = 17.39). Contact injuries (I = 40.48) significantly exceeded non-contact injuries (I = 14.29; p = 0.0124). Center players sustained most injuries (n = 12; 26%; I = 14.29), followed by goalkeepers (n = 10; 22%; I = 11.90) and goal defenders (n = 8; 17%; I = 9.52). Injuries occurred in almost 50% of matches, and 67% did not result in time-loss. Time-loss injuries (n = 14; 33%) were most frequent in the lower limb (n = 10; 71%) specifically involved lateral ankle ligaments (n = 4; 29%), attributable to contact (n = 11; 79%) and mostly implicated center players and goal defenders (n = 4 each; 29% each). 11 players contracted 11 illnesses (I = 7.64; PP = 5.72%) with respiratory tract illness contributing 36%. Most illnesses did not result in time-loss (91%). CONCLUSION: This is the first study reporting injury and illness during an NWC. Contact was the main mechanism of injury, and 2/3 of injuries did not result in time-loss. The ankle is most commonly injured and center players sustain most injuries. Non-respiratory system disease was most frequent, but upper respiratory tract infection remains the most common diagnosis. Targeted surveillance studies using similar methodology are required to develop injury and illness preventative strategies in elite netball.

Relationship between health problems associated with working in the Kingston Free Zone and health services within the Free Zone

The aim of this study was to identify the health problems associated with working in the Kingston Free Zone, the types of health services found there and their adequacy, with a view to implement strategies to overcome the the problems. Health problems were associated with working in the Free Zone e.g respiratory and digestive problems were seen as a result of the working conditions found in the Free Zone. Health services were found to be adequate but under utilized. The need for implementation of a few programmes and health services were also identified, such as an occupational health programme and a dental service (AU)

The treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft by the use of kuntscher nails - abstract

In a personal series of 110 cases of fracture of the femoral shaft Kuntscher nails were used in 88 and closed method employed in 22. This study relates to those patients having internal fixation. The average age was 35.9 years: there were 72 males and 16 females and road traffic accidents were the commonest precipitating factor. In 8 patients the fracture was subtrochanteric, in 26 at the upper 1/3, and in 9 at the lower 1/3 of the femur. Transverse fractures were seen in 63 cases and in 17 the fractures were compound. In 78 of the cases the operation was done between the 7th and 10th day after the accident. Post-operatively, splinting was used mainly in those cases who had fractures of the lower 1/3 of the femur. Partial weight-bearing was started at about 6 weeks and full weight-bearing between the 10th and 12th week post-operatively. After the 12th week patients were encouraged to discard crutches. There were no instances of non-union and only two of delayed union. Complete or virtually complete knee movement returned in 58 patients and in only 4 patients was knee movement 0-90§. Fifty-eight patients could return to work within 6 months after the injury. The major advatages of this closed method of treatment are a reduction in hospital stay, early ambulation and early return to work - all of which have economic advantage for the patient and the community (AU)