Hand Injuries During Eid al-Adha Celebrations: A Seven-Year Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Objective: Eid al-Adha is a significant religious event that involves the ritual slaughter of livestock, leading to an increased risk of hand injuries. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, causes, and severity of hand injuries related to Eid al-Adha over a seven-year period and provide evidence-based recommendations for injury prevention. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and received ethical approval from the the İstanbul Medeniyet University, Göztepe Training and Research Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee. Emergency department records from the İstanbul Medeniyet University, Göztepe Training and Research Hospital covering seven Eid al-Adha celebrations (2017-2022) were analyzed. Patients with hand injuries related to sacrificial activities, including slaughtering and meat preparation, were included. Demographic data, injury characteristics, and treatment modalities were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 183 patients were treated for hand injuries related to Eid al-Adha, with a male predominance (75.9%). The mean patient age was 40.09 years. Knife-related injuries were the most common (81%, 148 cases), followed by cleaver injuries (11%, 20 cases) and animal horn trauma (8%, 14 cases). The injuries predominantly affected the upper extremities, with 26% involving the index finger and 20% involving the middle finger. Among all patients, 21.3% required plastic surgery intervention. The highest number of injuries occurred on the first day of Eid (105 cases). A statistically significant difference was found in injury frequency between the first and subsequent days (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hand injuries related to Eid al-Adha remain a public health concern. Most injuries involve knives, affecting the fingers and requiring surgical intervention in a substantial proportion of cases. Promoting safer slaughtering practices, encouraging the use of professional butchers, and improving public awareness are essential strategies to minimize injury risks.