意外事故及不良影響為臺灣地區十大死因第三位，其中有一半係因頭部外傷所致。本研究以 1981 年及 1991 年高雄市地區頭部外傷調查資料為基礎，比較十年間，此地區頭部外傷的發生率及其危險因子等變化情形。 1981 年高雄市有 2305 位被確認為頭部外傷病例， 每十萬人口發生率為 187 人， 男女性各為 255 人與 115 人。 1991 年高雄市有3729 位被確認為頭部外傷病例，每十萬人口發生率 267 人，男女性各為 358 與 171 人。十年來頭部外傷發生率成長了 1.43 倍。 1981 年頭部外傷發生率以 20-29 歲的264/100,000 為最高；1991 年則以七十歲以上年齡層的 482/100,000 為最高，已有顯著的改變。不論性別、年齡別皆明顯的惡化，其中女性較男性成長的快，尤其以七十歲以上人口群，最為嚴重。頭部外傷發生的原因，兩個年度皆以車禍引起為主，佔七成以上，且車禍中有七成為機車肇事所致；第二受傷原因為跌落。 1991 年發生的原因中，遭外力攻擊所引起的頭部外傷有增加的趨勢。頭部外傷發生的時間，有一致的時間分布趨勢，夜間高於白天，以入夜後的下午 6- 8 點之間為最高峰。 頭部外傷嚴重度以 Glasgow 昏迷度表分類，將頭部外傷分為輕微、中度、嚴重三類，隨著醫療環境與技術的進步，在嚴重及中度頭部外傷的發生率雖未增加，但輕微頭部外傷的發生率卻成長了 1.59 倍。十年來高雄市區頭部外傷發生情形，確已產生變化且較嚴重，兩個年度的比較，可看出頭部外傷發生的情形，及其高危險群、發生原因、發生時間等演變狀況，可提供防治計劃之參考。

　　　　　Accidents and adverse effects are currentlyranked as the number three leading causes of death in Taiwan, and half of thecases are the result of head injuries. This study was designed to compare theincidence rates and demographic characteristics of head injuries over a ten-yearperiod. Data were collected from the survey of head injuries in 1981 and 1991 ofKaohsiung City, which was conducted by Kaohsiung Medical College. A total of2,305 cases of head injuries were collected in 1981. The average incidence ratewas 187/100,000 (255/100,000 for males and 115/100,000 for females). In 1991, atotal of 3,729 cases were collected. The average incidence rate for headinjuries increased to 267/100,000 (358/100,000 for males and 171/100,000 forfemales). The average incidence rate of head injuries was increased by 1.43times over the past ten years. Moreover, there were demographic changes in headinjuries during this period. The age group with the highest incidence rate ofhead injuries was 20-29 in 1981 (264/100,000), as compare with the age groupwith the highest incidence rate was 70 anbd over in 1991 (482/ 100,000). Thesex-specific and age-specific distributions of head injuries have been changedwith the incidence rate growing faster for females than males, specially for the70 and over age group. With respect to the causes of head injuries, seventlypercent were motor vehiclerelated causes, followed by falls in 1981 and 1991.The difference was the number of head injuries caused by assault was increasingin 1991. Also, the cases of head injuries were occurred more often at night thanduring the day with a peak of 6-8 P.M for the both years. The Glasgow Coma Scale(mild, moderate, severe) was sued to assess the severity of head injuries. Overthe 10 year period, the incidence rates of severe and moderate cases did notincrease. It was possibly due to the improvement in medial technology. However,the incidence rates of mild cases were increased by 1.59 times over the past 10years. In sum, the incidence rates of head injuries was increased and thedeterminants of head injuries were changed over the ten years in Kaohsiung city.The finding may be useful for prevention programs.