Firearm injuries in Nairobi, Kenya: who pays the price?

Because firearm injuries affect the health and social fabric of Kenya, we investigated the problem in collaboration with Kenya's affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. This public health problem has its roots in the civil strife and prevalence of small arms and light weapons in the Horn of Africa. We studied persons with firearm injuries who reached Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi during a 6-month period in 2006. We describe their demographic characteristics and speculate that many people injured with guns die before they reach the hospital. The people of Nairobi would benefit from better pre-hospital care, including ambulance transportation, and a public health insurance system to redistribute the burden of medical services.