Firearm injuries in Finland 1985-1989.

Over a 5-year period 1985-1989, a total of 1,268 persons, 5.1 cases per 100,000 person-years, required hospital treatment for injuries caused by firearms in Finland. During the same period 1,295 persons died on the scene of the shooting or during transport to hospital. Among the 1,268 patients admitted alive, the principal modes of the shooting incident were accidental shooting in 57%, suicidal attempt in 20% and assault in 13%. The male:female ratio was 11:1. The median age of the patients was 31 years. The anatomical distribution of the injuries was as follows: skull or face in 36%, chest or abdomen in 17% and extremities in 47%. The mean duration of the hospital stay was 13 days. In all, 16,506 hospital days were required. Of the 1,268 patients 141 died in hospital. The hospital mortality was 104/255 in suicidal shootings, 26/158 in assaults but only 9/725 in accidents. This study showed that firearm injuries cannot be considered a negligible medical problem in Finland.