Epidemiology of ranger injuries among members of the Game Rangers Association of Africa : service-related risk and the call for targeted prevention strategies

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : To determine the epidemiology of ranger injuries, risk factors for injury, and health support needs among members of the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA). METHODS : We employed a retrospective cross-sectional design to collect data online using a questionnaire developed specifically for this study. We used convenience sampling to include 120 rangers aged 18 years or older who were actively working in Africa. RESULTS : Our findings showed a career injury prevalence of 52 % and period prevalence (past 12 months) of 33 %. The lower limb was the most frequently injured anatomical region (38 %), followed by the upper limb (31 %) and trunk (19 %), specifically affecting the hand (19 %), ankle (14 %), and foot (13 %). The most common injury types included skin lacerations (29 %), followed by muscle injuries (23 %), and fractures (10 %). Working for more than 15 years as a ranger is associated with an increased risk for career injury (OR=2.63) compared to working for 10 years or less. Injuries resulted in a median of 7 days (IQR=0–20 days) lost from work, with most injuries requiring either emergency medical care (31 %) or consultation with a medical doctor (26 %). Rangers need better equipment, cardiovascular fitness training programs, safety training, and mental health support. CONCLUSION : One in every two rangers associated with the GRAA sustains an injury across their careers, with a third of rangers reporting being injured in the past 12 months. Working more than 15 years as a ranger was associated with an increased risk for career injury. Our findings should be used in conjunction with sound clinical reasoning to aid in the development of future injury prevention strategies for rangers working in Africa.