Background We aimed was to study epidemiology, risk factors and outcome of hospitalised patients with hand injuries in order to give recommendations for prevention.

Methods We studied all trauma patients having hand injuries admitted to Al Ain Hospital for more than 24 hours, or died after arrival to the hospital during 3 years. Demography, location and time of injury, other injured regions, severity of injury, hospital and ICU stay, and outcome were analysed.

Results 296 patients having a mean age of 30.5 years were studied. The annual incidence of hospitalisation was 15.4/100 000 person per year. 91.9% were males and 62.5% from the Indian subcontinent. The most common location for injury was work (53.4%), followed by road (24.7%) and home (13.2%). Injury from road traffic crash was the most common mechanism (26%), followed by machinery (25.7%) and heavy objects (14.9%). Patients injured at home were younger (p < 0.0001) and had more females (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions Males from the Indian subcontinet are at a higher risk of having hand injuries especially at work, while UAE nationals by traffic or at home. Safety education and programs, use of personal protective equipment including gloves, and proper enforcement of the safety guidelines could reduce hospitalizations and disability of hand injuries.