Injuries associated with landmines and unexploded ordnance--Afghanistan, 1997-2002.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose a substantial public health risk. Approximately 60-70 million landmines are scattered in approximately 70 countries, and an estimated 24,000 persons, mostly civilians, are killed or injured annually by landmines and UXO. In Afghanistan, approximately 5-7 million landmines are scattered throughout the country. During 2000-2001, Afghanistan had the highest number of reported landmine and UXO casualties in the world. This report presents analyses of surveillance data on landmine- and UXO-related injuries in Afghanistan during January 1997-September 2002, which indicate that the proportion of victims injured by UXO increased during this time, compared with the proportion injured by landmines. The majority (61%) of adult victims were injured by landmines, and the majority (66%) of children and adolescents were injured by UXO. Mine-risk education programs should focus on UXO hazards for children and on landmine hazards for adults and should address age-specific risk behaviors.