Landmine victims in Iran Kurdistan; demographic features and accident characteristics

Abstract

Objective: Iranian civilians living in border areas are still victims of un-neutralized war mines from the eight years war between Iraq and Iran. This cross-sectional study was aimed to determine demographic characteristics and features associated with the land mine injuries using data from a representative group of victims. Methodology: Overall, 300 civilian mine victims in Kurdistan Province western Iran between 1991 to 2005 were randomly recruited. The documentary data for those who lost their lives was gathered from the archives of local police, Red Crescent and War-disabled (Janbazan) Organization. Other survived mine-injured victims were interviewed for data collection using a validated check list. SPSS was used for all analyses. Results: Overall, 17.7% of victims (n=53) were killed immediately after explosion and 82.3% (n=247) were injured. Of those who survived, 40% (n=99) had an amputation surgery of lower limb in particular. Majority of victims were either farmers or shepherd. Amongst risk factors investigated, victims' job and age were significantly correlated with mine accidents in Kurdistan province after adjusting for other factors including gender, education level and socioeconomic status (Adjusted OR=2.1, 95% CI, 1.1-3.2, p < 0.01 and AOR=1.7, 95% CI, 1.1-2.5, p=0.04 respectively). Conclusions: Young civilians living in border areas between Iran and Iraq with certain jobs are still affected by un-neutralized war mines despite the valuable mine clearance activities in the area. Concerted efforts are required to avoid and minimize the adverse effects of mine explosions in border areas in west of the country and in Kurdistan in particular.