Introduction As the incidence and death rate of injury are relatively high in Korea, the public health concerns are now increasing. The aim of this study are (1) to describe the regional distribution and pattern of the injury prevalence, (2) to evaluate the relationship between the Korea poverty index and the regional variation of the injury.

Methods <2009 Korea Community Health Survey> was the national interview survey in Korea. The type of injury was categorised by ICECI and the age adjusted injury prevalence was calculated. The regional variation was evaluated by the index; EQ (Extremal Quotient), CV (Coefficient of Variation), CVA (CV from ANOVA). For explaining the effect of Korea poverty index to regional variation, general linear model was applied.

Results The 1-year experience of all kinds of injury was more prevalent to men than to women. Falls (30%) was most frequent type of injury. The significant regional variation was found according to the category of injury. In the urban area, the 1-year experience rate of all kinds of injury was 5.47 (4.39–6.54) in poorest region by Korea poverty index, and 4.61 (4.28–4.94) in richest region. The statistically significant linear trend was found across the quartile of poverty index (p for trend =0.04).

Discussion There were significant regional variations according the rurality, administrative regions, and the Korea poverty index. For the tackling the high prevalence and regional discrepancy of the injury, community specialised and area based intervention were needed.