bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedestrian injury at signalised midblock versus signalised intersections locations in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Rothman L , Howard A , Camden A , Macarthur C
Published: October 2012

Background

Signalised intersections are the ‘gold standard’ providing the safest environment for pedestrian crossings; however, it is unknown whether the safety effects of traffic signals are maintained at midblock locations.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To evaluate injury outcomes of pedestrian collisions at signalised midblock compared to signalised intersection locations.

Methods

Police-reported pedestrian collision data from 2000–2009 in Toronto, Canada were obtained. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between a four level categorical outcome of injury severity and signalised midblock versus signalised intersection locations. Models were stratified by age and adjusted for road type.

Results

Of 8479 collisions analysed, 88% of collisions were at signalised intersections. Almost ¼ of child collisions occurred at midblock versus 11% in adults. Over 25% of signalised midblock collisions in seniors resulted in major or fatal injury. The odds of major injury were 2.21 (95% CI 1.32 to 3.70) in children and 2.11 (95% CI 1.57 to 2.83) in adults. The odds of fatal injury were 4.37 (95% CI 1.92 to 9.97) in seniors at signalised midblock versus intersection locations.

Significance

Traffic signals at midblock locations do not provide the same degree of protection against major and fatal collisions as they do at intersections. The increased likelihood of a fatal injury in seniors at signalised midblock locations may indicate difficulty in usage or ineffectiveness in slowing down traffic. The barriers to safe use of signalised midblock crossings need to be identified to ensure effectiveness for all ages.
The relationship between walking to school and child pedestrian injury in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Rothman L , Macarthur C , Buliung R , To T , Howard A
Published: October 2012

Background

Pedestrian collisions are a major cause of injury in Canadian children. Parents indicate that traffic injury risk is a leading reason why children are not encouraged to walk to school. Promoting walking to school must take injury risk into consideration. Previous studies investigating walking to school have generally relied on parent report, and have not included pedestrian injury data.

Objective

To determine the relationship between observed numbers of children walking to school and collision rates at elementary schools.

Methods

Observational counts were conducted of elementary school transportation modes to school in Toronto, Canada. Pedestrian-motor vehicle collision data from 2000–2009 were obtained. Negative binomial regression was used to model rates of child pedestrian injury within school attendance boundaries with observed proportion of children walking to school.

Results

There were 441 collisions in 118 study school boundaries. A total of 16 137 children were observed walking. The mean collision rate was 78/1000/child years. The mean proportion of walking to school was 67%. Walking to school was a significant predictor of collisions (4.05, 95% CI 1.22 to 13.43).

Significance

The proportion of children arriving to school using AST was higher and demonstrated greater variability than expected. Proportion of exposure to traffic with children walking to school was positively significantly associated with rate of child pedestrian collision. Increasing the numbers of children walking to school could have the undesired effect of increasing pedestrian injury rates, if efforts are not made to enhance pedestrian safety around schools.
Spatial inequalities and pedestrian injuries in Cali, Colombia
Authors: Villaveces A , Clough L , Rodríguez D , Bangdiwala S , Gutierrez N , Serre M
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To determine the temporal and spatial distribution of pedestrian injuries in Colombia in relation to the socio-economic level of individuals and the place of event occurrence.

Methods

Temporal and spatial analyses of pedestrian injuries using land use regression models were developed to assess the distribution and contributing factors to pedestrian injuries associated with urban infrastructure but focusing especially on socio-economic level of injured pedestrians and characteristics of the place where events occurred while accounting for temporal variations.

Results

Data from the land use regression models suggests that pedestrian injury events are more strongly correlated over time than in space. Analyses also suggest that pedestrian injuries affect primarily individuals of lower socio-economic levels but events tend to occur mostly in areas classified as middle to middle-high income.

Discussion

Evidence from the temporal and spatial occurrence of pedestrian injuries in Cali, Colombia suggest that inequalities in urban characteristics of this city are associated with a higher incidence of pedestrian injury events that predominantly affect people in lower socio-economic levels.
The magnitude and contextual circumstances of childhood (0–14 years) pedestrian fatalities in South African cities
Authors: Samed Bulbulia , Ashley Vanniekerk , Mohammed Seedat , Hilton Donson
Published: October 2012

Background

Road traffic injuries continue to manifest as a contributor to the global burden of disease, and road deaths in poor countries are predicted to rise by 80% by 2020. South Africa's road traffic crisis is of national concern, with pedestrians accounting for about 43% of all traffic—related fatalities (NDOT 2006). However there is a paucity of studies on the magnitude and contextual circumstances of pedestrian fatalities that can offer evidence for intervention and prevention strategies, especially growing children who are a vulnerable group.

Aim

To understand the magnitude, categories and circumstances in childhood pedestrian fatalities (0–14-year-olds) across several South African cities.

Materials and Methods

This is a register—based cross—sectional study using fatal injury data from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS) for 2001–2005). The years chosen for this study are the most recent for which multi—city level data is available. A cluster analysis was performed on each of the datasets from the four cities. Pedestrian fatalities are classified into specific categories to determine whether and how the categories yielded for the four cities differ with respect to age, gender, and event characteristics.

Results and Conclusions

Results reflect that pedestrian fatalities are primarily concentrated in the 5–9 years group, followed by the 0–4 years and 10–14 years respectively for most of the major cities. Childhood pedestrian fatalities predominantly occurred before school, after school and early evenings, over weekends and national holidays. Implications for prevention are also highlighted by way of conclusion.
Towards sustainable pedestrian safety: the Bangladesh context
Authors: Mazharul Hoque Md.
Published: October 2012

Background

Road traffic injuries in Bangladesh have now emerged as a serious development challenge and are inhibiting poverty reduction strategies. A major portion of the people killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes are pedestrians and children are particularly vulnerable.

Objectives

To provide an overview of the pedestrian crash characteristics and risk factors and to describe road infrastructure improvement options towards achieving sustainable pedestrian safety in Bangladesh.

Methods

Cash data from the Bangladesh Police for the years between 1998–2008 were analysed and studied. The data extracted included crash location, types, and severity and diurnal characteristics. Observational and on-scene in-depth studies of hazardous locations were also studied linking iRAP field assessment and inspection of high risk corridors.

Results

Pedestrians accounted for more than half (52%) of the reported road traffic fatalities in Bangladesh. They are highly overrepresented in urban areas, up to 80%. Pedestrian movements along and across the roads are numerous. Children are particularly vulnerable as pedestrians. One third of the pedestrian deaths are under the age of 16 years. The principal risk factor is the mixing of pedestrians with high speeding vehicles, buses and trucks in particular. Other risk factors are road environmental hazards, conflicting roadside linear developments and land use activities, poor understanding on the part of pedestrians and poor vehicle fronts etc. The safety ratings of highways are mostly (98%) 2-stars or less (out of possible 5-stars) for pedestrians—indicative of serious road infrastructure and environmental deficiencies.

Significance

Pedestrian-vehicle conflicts are the greatest safety problem in Bangladesh. Addressing pedestrian safety is clearly an urgent necessity in order to be able to attain the targeted road safety gains during the Decade of Action for Road Safety. Large scale pedestrian safety could be achieved through planning road infrastructure safety improvements via modifications of road layout and environment and by putting in place the life saving features like footpaths, safety barriers, refuge islands, sealed shoulders and signals. Such road infrastructure improvement programmes in line with a universal Safe System approach will lead to sustainable pedestrian safety rapidly and affordably in Bangladesh.
Investigating common trends in New Zealand cycling fatalities
Authors: Koorey G
Published: October 2012

Background

Following the death of five cyclists in New Zealand during November 2010, The Chief Coroner announced a national Inquest to try and identify any common trends or information that could prevent a re-occurrence of such tragedies. However there was concern that the Inquest scope was of limited value without reference to a much larger sample of crashes.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To help inform this Inquest, a larger investigation into NZ cycling fatalities dating back to 2006 was undertaken. The aim was to try to identify any consistent patterns in crash occurrences that were significantly over-represented.

Method

All cycling fatalities in NZ since January 2006 were identified from crash records and media reports; 75 fatalities were identified through to March 2012. Review of the relevant Police and media reports identified common attributes. Potential initiatives that could have prevented each fatality were also considered.

Results/Outcomes

Some notable trends were found. Older cyclists (>50 years) are very over-represented, despite their relatively low cycling involvement, and also more likely to be at fault. Fatalities involving heavy vehicles and/or state highways were also higher than expected. Poor observation by drivers was very common. The study also identified inconsistencies in crash information recorded, including recording of non-motor vehicle crashes and clothing/helmets worn.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The study has provided valuable information to inform both the Inquest and transport safety agencies in general about what is needed to reduce the cycling road toll. It identifies additional trends that are not evident from just examining cycle injury crashes.
Incorporating data into global burden of disease method to assess national burden of road traffic injuries in Thailand
Authors: Ditsuwan V , Veerman JL , Barendregt J , Bertram M , Vos T
Published: October 2012

Background

Conducting a burden of road traffic injuries (RTIs) in developing countries is difficult due to the paucity and inconsistency of data.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the burden of RTI in Thailand with a focus on long-term disability and examine the effect of replacing Global Burden of Disease (GBD) assumptions with data from Thailand.

Methods

We used methods developed for the GBD to quantify burden of RTIs. We used two alternative sets of data on the proportions of injuries that go on to suffer long-term disability and the weights thereof: the diagnosis-specific values used in original GBD and aggregate values based on new data derived from a study in Thailand (Thai model). To evaluate changes over time, we also calculated burden of RTIs in 1999 using the method and assumptions that were used in 2004.

Results

The total loss of disability-adjusted life years due to RTIs was 673 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 546 000–881 000). Mortality contributed 88% of this burden. The use of local data, in Thai model, led to a significantly higher estimate of the burden of long-term disability due to RTIs (74 000 DALYs [95% UI 55 400–88 500] vs 43 000 [42 700–43 600]) compared to using the GBD assumptions. However, this difference constitutes only a small proportion of the total burden.

Conclusions

The burden of RTI in 2004 remained at the same high level as in 1999. The use of local data on the long-term consequences of RTI enabled a more valid estimate of this burden and its uncertainty.
Research about mother's perception and behaviour about accidents with children in Brazil
Authors: Francoia A , Aquino F
Published: October 2012

Background

In 2010, Safe Kids had developed a qualitative study that showed the evident lack of knowledge among mothers related to the high incidence of accidents. In 2011, it was decided to develop a quantitative study about the same issue.

Objectives

Continue the study through a quantitative survey, generate contents for disclosure and knowledge about the cause and obtain more material to help Safe Kids Brazil to guide its strategies.

Methods

Ipsos, a French global survey company, carried out the survey related to mother's perception and behaviour about accidents with children. 500 mothers of children under 15 years old were interviewed. They belonged to social classes A, B, C and D, were between 25 and 45-years-old and lived in five cities around the country. The research was carried out door-to-door in March 2011.

Results

52 per cent of mothers believed that their children were more exposed to risks outside their home. However, burns and falls (common accidents in the house) represented the most present risks in the minds of mothers. The most avoided accident was burning and 72 per cent of mothers have done something to prevent. The least avoided was related to children inside vehicles, only 13 per cent said to prevent it. Fall was experienced by most of the children of the mothers, 31 per cent. 40 per cent of mothers carry their children in cars and only 32 per cent have car seats.
A model to evaluate road traffic safety in Safe Communities (SC)
Authors: Hashemi SM , Zangi M , Mohammadi R
Published: October 2012

Background

Traffic is still the leading cause of death and disability in all around world and indeed SC Evaluation in terms of traffic safety is crucial.

Aims

To set up a comprehensive model to assess traffic safety in SCs.

Methods

Traffic safety parts of SC reports and related scientific articles in Pubmed and Embase were reviewed to find evaluation methods of traffic safety.

Results

Three main methods of traffic safety evaluation have been developed as follows: Firstly, process evaluation, in which, focus group discussion among members of traffic safety work team is recommended. Secondly, impact evaluation, in which, quasi experimental study with emphasis on usage of safety equipment such as Seat belts, child restraints, bicycle helmets, motorcycle helmets by drivers and passengers is best work to be carried out at designation and re-designation step between SC and control community. Finally, outcome evaluation, in which, in another quasi experimental study, incidence, severity and burden of traffic accidents is estimated and compared between SC and control community. Besides WHO and CDC questionnaires, delphi technique is an useful alternative to prepare questionnaires.

Contribution to the Field

The quite large number of traffic accidents in the world justifies the importance of designing a model to evaluate SC interventions regarding road traffic safety.
The interactive effect of fear and humour appeals, gender & the level of involvement on attitude toward safe driving
Authors: Kabiri Z , Hakimara M
Published: October 2012

Aims

Road trauma is recognised as a serious problem both in Iran and internationally. Produce and exposure of persuasive advertisings is an important strategy that persuade attitude including Unitarian attitude, value expressive attitude and general attitude. One of these strategies is applying emotional appeal in health advertising.

Background

Evidence has shown that fear-based and humour based advertising messages have been different effect depend on some factor like gender.

Methods

This Research asses the role of emotional appeal as a significant factor in health related message. Safe driving in this article includes seat-belt and speeding behaviours. Iranian Participants (N=126) viewed anti-speeding and using seat belt TV advertisements and completed two questionnaires: the first assessed pre-exposure attitudes and involvement and immediate-post exposure attitudes; the second, 3–4 weeks later, assessed attitudes again in follow up measuring (n=51).

Results and Significant

Results show that fear appeal was more effective than humour appeal on general attitude and utilitarian attitude. But results show that against recent evidence in relation to gender significant effects didn't find in relation to appeals and gender. The results suggested that emotional appeals had limit effectiveness on value-expressive attitudes; moreover the results revealed a significant effect of humour appeals for individuals of lower reported involvement.
Perceptions and reality: measuring New Zealanders' attitudes towards injury risk
Authors: Catherine Proffitt , Emanuel Kalafatelis
Published: October 2012

Background

The New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy was launched in 2003 with the aim of improving New Zealand's overall injury performance. The strategy provided a framework for policy development and injury prevention activities that would hopefully lead to a ‘safety culture’ in New Zealand. This ‘safety culture’ focused on six injury priority areas: motor vehicle traffic crashes, suicide and deliberate self-harm, falls, assault, workplace injuries and drowning.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

One of the immediate requirements was the establishment of a baseline measure of New Zealanders' beliefs and attitudes to such a culture. This was undertaken by Research New Zealand as a telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of n=1000 New Zealanders, 18 years or more (May 2007). To establish the baseline, the survey sought to answer questions about New Zealanders' awareness of injury risk and their attitudes towards the preventability of injury.

Results/Outcome

While many more people felt that New Zealand was a fundamentally safe country (41%) than thought it was an unsafe country (7%), and its safety record was generally improving, there was a significant disconnect between people's awareness of where New Zealanders were ‘at risk’ of injury compared to where they were actually being injured.

For example, 71% of respondents felt New Zealanders were personally at risk on the road, but injuries on the road accounted for just 5% of accident insurance compensation claims in 2005–2006 and 7% of associated costs.

Significance/Contribution to Field

The development of policy and injury prevention activities must take into account the mind-set of New Zealanders, if these activities are to be effective in achieving their desired outcomes.
Health surveillance in Thai workers with hazardous environmental exposure
Authors: Karnjanakantorn W
Published: October 2012

Background

Hazardous environment is found in some provinces of Thailand such as at the 100-year-old historic tin mining of Ron Phibun, southern part of Thailand, where the first skin cancer case was reported in 1987. Since then there have been many implementations from the government, which includes the health surveillance.

Objectives

To survey the general health and toxic substance exposure of workers in high risk area.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2011–2012 among workers. Data was collected through periodic examination, blood and urine tests for inorganic arsenic substance. A total of 54 people participated in the study (47 males, seven females).

Results

The report of overweight was 51.85%. The second problem was hypertension (24%). There were 11 of 13(84.6%) employees who were diagnosed with hypertension and overweight. The screening chest x-ray was done and there were 11.1% with abnormal results for example, fibrosis, lung infiltration in upper lobes, nodular-like density. There were 11.1% who had high level of Arsenic and all of them did not have any knowledge about route of exposure and use PPE less than 50% of work hours.

Significance

Education for prevention of health hazards must be provided urgently for the workers who work with toxic substances in Thailand. The periodic examination is important to compare with environmental data after the walkthrough survey. The long term study is necessary for the toxic substance induced cancer.
Comparison of highway crash reporting in Pakistan with the World Health Organisation injury surveillance guideline
Authors: Khoso AK , Ekman DS , Bhatti JA
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To compare the crash reporting system of National Highways & Motorways Police (NH&MP), Pakistan with the WHO injury surveillance guidelines.

Methods

Based on information collected from field observations, key informant interviews, and review of official documents, this note firstly describes reporting system according to the components of a surveillance system. Then the reporting is compared with WHO criteria for designing and building an injury surveillance system and attributes of such system.

Results

After a crash, patrol officer communicates the information to the higher police authorities by wireless, fax, and on paper in the first 24 h. Microcomputer Accident Analysis Package (MAAP) Performa filed by the officers are collected at a central location in the following 4 days, and reports are published biannually. Notable deficiencies in the reporting were: non identification of stakeholders for data utilisation and limited prospects of data recording process modification and it's monitoring. Moreover, crash and injury definitions do not conform to international standards practiced elsewhere.

Conclusions

NH&MP crash reporting needs to be simplified and standardised, and steps should be taken to improve its utilisation for prevention purposes.
Designing injury surveillance system for National Highways & Motorway police of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Ajmal
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To design a comprehensive road traffic injury surveillance system for National Highways & Motorway Police of Pakistan on the basis of WHO Injury Surveillance Guidelines and keeping in view several Police Accident Databases.

Methods

The Injury Surveillance System for National Highways & Motorway Police of Pakistan has been designed keeping in view the Injury Surveillance Guidelines published by World Health Organisation and several Police Accident Databases being used in different countries. Important variables have been included in the Injury Surveillance System as per WHO Injury Surveillance Guidelines and other Police Accident Databases.

Result

The newly devised injury surveillance system for National Highways & Motorways Police of Pakistan has been designed based upon important variables such as use of alcohol or psychoactive substance have been adopted from WHO Injury Surveillance Guidelines and several Police Road Accident Databases which are helpful in carrying out comprehensive analysis of road traffic accidents and associated injury.

Conclusions

A new injury surveillance system has been designed which will be helpful in estimating true magnitude of road traffic accidents and associated injury, and analysing causes of road traffic accidents to devise effective preventive measures. It will also be helpful in establishing an effective coordination between National Highways & Motorways Police of Pakistan and other important stakeholders so that effective Road Traffic Injury Prevention policies can be devised to tackle the problem.
Study on occupational injuries visited and admitted to two hospitals during 2006–2010
Authors: Luong MA , Khieu TQT , Tran TNL
Published: October 2012

Background

Annually, there are approximately 350 000 deaths and another 270 million disabilities related occupational injury around the world. In Viet Nam, the mortality ratio of occupational injury (OI) was 34.1/1000 population.

Objective and Method

To describe the situation of OI visited and admitted to two hositals during 2006–2010 and to recommend some interventions to control deaths, disabilities and sequel related occupational injuries using descriptive cross sectional method.

Results

OI occurred in male with 63.1%. The average age of patients was 33.06. Age group 20–30 were greatlty experienced to OI with 41.52%. Workers were major workforce involved with OI with 53.37%. Most of the patients had occupational age under 3 years (36.8%). Injured limbs in the upper area were predominant with 65.42%. Major injuries were fracture and dislocation of joint, skin and flesh wound with 65.83%, 53.19%, respectively. The percentage of burn was 33.15%. Only 4.46% of patients was handled by the medical staff. The 04 leading tools related injuries were machine, falling objects, manual objects and electricity with 47.58%, 15.86%, 4.83% and 3.32%, respectively. Disadvantagages of working environment were noise, vibration with 55.24% and 55.07%, respectively.

Significance

Recommendations include improving working condition to reduce hazards, enhancing first aid capacity for injuries at workplace and community, setting compensation fund for injured employees and implementing sentinnel surveillance system on OI in some key industrial zones.
Injury situation in Vietnam in 2005–2010 and preventive strategies in 2011–2015
Authors: Luong MA , Khieu TQT , LTran TN , Nguyen TTH , Pham LT
Published: October 2012

Background

Vietnam has the national policy 2002–2010 and many interventions and prevention activities have been deployed but injuries number is still high.

Objectives

To evaluate the injury situation and describe the injury preventive strategies (IPSs) in 2012–2015 in Vietnam.

Methods

All causes specific mortality in communes and injury cases in health facilities in 2005–2010 were collected; IPSs in 2012–2015 were reviewed.

Results

The results showed that in 2010 the injury morbility rate was 1510/100 000, increase 9.8% more than in 2005. Male morbility was higher than female. Injury mortality rate was 10–12% of the total deaths every year. During 2005–2010, the average rate of mortality injury was 44.3/100 000 populations. The trend of injury mortality rate was decreased from 46.55 to 42.69 per 100 000 populations. Three leading causes of death were road traffic (19.56/100 000), drowning (7.93/100 000) and suicide (4.81/100 000). In 2011–2015, injury preventive strategies are consolidating steering committee, increasing budget; strengthening IEC activities; improving surveillance system; enhancing the trauma care capacity; developing at least 200 Vietnamese safe communities; decreasing injury mortality by 40/100 000 in 2015.

Significance

The study described a great number of complicated injury situation in Vietnam. To deal with this problem, a total and comprehensive implementing national injury prevention plan should have been continued in Vietnam.
Joint Action on Monitoring Injuries in Europe (JAMIE): development of a new Minimum Data Set (MDS)
Authors: Lyons RA , Kisser R , Bloemhoff A , Laursen B , Ellsaesser G , Macey S , Krebs I , Benyi M , Rogmans W
Published: October 2012

Background

Transnational injury surveillance requires the adoption of standardised systems providing nationally representative samples of cases. The EU Injury Data Base (IDB) operates in 13 EU countries but at varying level. Hence, there is no comprehensive system across Europe to provide a basis for benchmarking or designing and evaluating prevention policies at EU level.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To develop a common hospital-based emergency department injury surveillance methodology that is both sufficiently detailed to provide the most relevant information for prevention and simple enough to be implementable at low cost in all European Member States.

Methods

Following a literature review, a consultative and iterative process was undertaken involving injury surveillance experts from the JAMIE management team and IDB National Database Administrators (NDAs) from each country with the aim of producing an agreed Minimum Data Set (MDS).

Results/Outcomes

The agreed MDS contains information on major components of aetiology: intent, location (setting) of incidence, activity when injured, mechanism of injury, type of injury, and injured body part. Data set length is 32 compared to 85 for the standard IDB. Feedback suggests widespread willingness to implement the MDS either as a new data collection or to be abstracted from existing systems. Within JAMIE 13 more EU countries have expressed their willingness to implement the common system and 26 countries are expected to participate by 2014.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The proposed JAMIE MDS provides an opportunity to implement a common low cost injury surveillance system for Europe to support policy development and injury prevention.
A population-based study of direct health care costs for treatment of Paediatric concussions
Authors: MacPherson A , Corallo A , Guttmann A
Published: October 2012

Background

Paediatric concussions are an important reason for children to seek care from their physician or in the Emergency Department. Although there are strategies that can help prevent concussions, including environmental changes such as improved playground surfacing, and behavioural changes, such as increased use of bicycle helmets, there is a paucity of information related to the direct costs of concussions. The objective of this study was to provide estimates of the direct costs of paediatric concussions.

Methods

Using linked administrative health data, children were identified with an index healthcare visit between 2008 and 2010 for a concussion using The National Ambulatory Care Reporting System for children attending an Emergency Department, and the Ontario Health Insurance Programme, for those in a physician's office. Total healthcare costs were calculated subsequent to the index visit, and included physician follow up visits, hospital admissions, and diagnostic imaging. Costs were standardised to 2010 dollars, and did not include any out-of-pocket costs to the family.

Results

There were 19 799 children with index visits for concussions in Ontario during the two study years. The average cost per patient for an index ED visit was $219.64 and $46.13 for an office visit, amounting to a total estimated cost of $2 944 956.46. The total cost of follow up ED visits was $129 819.36, and $246 437.63 for follow-up office visits. The total cost of hospitalisation was $106 037.54, while the cost of imaging was $129 741.24.

Conclusions

Concussions represent a significant financial burden on the health care system. Strategies to prevent concussions can include reference to the substantial cost of treating these children within the health care system. Ongoing research can include indirect costs, as well as other costs incurred by families that have not been included in this analysis.
Capture-recapture method: traffic accident estimation along the circumferential road 5, national capital region, Philippines
Authors: Martinez R , Go J , Timbang T
Published: October 2012

Background

Road traffic accidents are one of the world's largest contributors to injury problems, loss of lives, and damage to property. In the Philippines, accidents consistently remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

Objectives

The study is aimed to obtain a picture of road traffic accidents by using capture-recaptured method and to calculate an ascertainment corrected number of fatal and non-fatal injury that happened along C-5 Road, National Capital Region from January to December 2008.

Methods

A Cross-sectional Study was done. A two-sample capture-recapture method was used to estimate traffic accidents. The first capture was all deaths and injuries due to road accidents reported by the Metro Manila Development Authority through their MMARAS Registry. The recapture will be all medico-legal and emergency records from the public hospitals.

Results

For non-fatal road accidents, aggregate data showed 820 cases yielding 7.3/100 000 populations. When captured-recapture technique was used, a total of 2068 cases were recounted, representing 18.4/100 000 populations. For fatal injuries, aggregate data resulted to 15 new cases. Using capture-recapture method, 20 deaths were recounted, yielding 0.18/100 000 population. Case Fatality Rate is 0.97%.

Conclusion/Significance

It was recommended to harmonise the sources of road accident data and to strengthen the Philippine National Injury Surveillance System. The study was presented to the Philippine Department of Health and contributed to build the Philippine Network on Injury Data Management System.
Two year active surveillance of injuries in an industrially developing commune in Vietnam
Authors: Diep Nguyen Bich , Hai Nguyen Khac
Published: October 2012

Background

Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in rapidly developing countries such as Vietnam.

Objectives

Our objective was to apply an active injury surveillance system describing the burden of injuries in an industrially developing commune in 2 years (2008 and 2009).

Methods

Injury data were collected from different sources including a District Hospital, a Commune Health Station and the first aid boxes located in 40 enterprises.

Each injury was interviewed by health staff describing the circumstances of each injury including causes, occurring time, injured body parts, lost workday, injury severity and treatment expenses, etc.

Results

The total number of injuries recorded in 2 years were 1661 cases, in which male got more injuries than female (57,2% vs 42,8%). Almost people (accounting 72%) getting injuries were in working age (20–65-years-old). 47,8% people getting injuries were working in mechanical enterprises. 26% were involved in agricultural work. Majority of injuries were open wound (42.9%), crushing injuries (19,5%) bone fracture and crash (3.5%); burn (4.6%). The main causes of injuries ere struck by/against/caught (41.5%), falls (28.3%), hot objects (4.6%). 46.5% of people getting injuries left work. 77.2% left work for 1–6 days. The total cost for all injuries were 411 693 thousand Vietnamese dong (equivalent to more than 21 thousand US dollar)

Contribution to the Field

Applying an active injury surveillance system captured more cases of injuries and described more detail burden of injuries. It is a basis to offer various potential intervention at commune level to prevent actively injuries.
The cost of managing injuries of bomb blast seen at hospitals in eight Nigerian states
Authors: Onazi O , Swomen H , John I , Valenti M , Oga E
Published: October 2012

Background

Recent spates of bomb blasts unleashed by terrorists in eight Nigerian States warranted research into the health cost of managing one such bomb blast victim.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study in one hospital in each of eight states (Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna and Kano) during 2010–2012 using a cluster sampling method, selecting 50 victims of bomb blast per state. We obtained data from hospital intake billing registers.

Results

The following costs reflect the range of in-patient hospital costs only. They do not include follow up treatment, rehabilitation, or mental health counselling. Hospital stays ranged from 4–8 weeks per person.

1. Borno State: 700USD–2000USD

2. Plateau State: 750USD–3500USD

3. Bauchi State: 720USD–3000USD

4. Yobe State: 700USD–3150USD

5. Gombe State: 730USD–3350USD

6. Niger State: 710USD–3450USD

7. Kaduna State: 800USD–3750USD

8. Kano State: 850USD–4000USD

Conclusion and Significance

The relevance of this pilot study in identifying the cost of managing injuries of one bomb blast victim exposes an enormous diversion of scare healthcare resources from the care of between 10–57 people based on current Nigerian health expenditures per capita. There is an urgent need to prevent violence from these terrorists.
Contributing to the formation and harmonisation of injury data collection in the Philippines
Authors: Perez M , Consunji R , Rolloque A , Alcantara M
Published: October 2012

Background

Data on injury has been sporadically collected by different agencies in the Philippines. No policy assigned any particular office or agency to harmonise data from different government and non-government organisations. There were problems on data duplication, increased cost of maintaining the systems and difficulty of sharing.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

Need for baseline data to drive its programmes brought Safe Kids Philippines (SKP) to closely work with the different agencies who could supply reliable data.

Methods

SKP aligned itself with the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the Technical Working and Steering Committees for injury data collection and contributed to the formation and development of the Online Electronic Injury Surveillance System. SKP helped to bridge access among DOH, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) exposing these agencies to existing but overlapping complementary data systems. Issues of ownership, proprietorship and being the principal agency for road crash data slowly eroded as a collegial setting and better communication among the agencies lead to better interaction.

Results

Today, the data bases of DOH and DPWH form the base of the Philippine Network on Injury Data Management System (PNIDMS) initiative. MMDA data is currently being integrated. SKP will contribute data analysis to PNIDMS. Other agencies are lined up for inclusion into the PNIDMS.

Significance

Synchronised data collection efforts were formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement among DOH, WHO, Department of Transportation and Communications, UNICEF, MMDA, Land Transportation Office, DPWH with the Philippine National Police, and SKP.
Using epidemiologic evidence to develop public policies on community safety and citizenship, Medellin, Colombia
Authors: Restrepo A , Duque LF
Published: October 2012

Background

Medellin metropolitan area is the second conurbation in Colombia (3,5 million inhabitants, 10 municipalities). University of Antioquia PREVIVA Programme was the advisor during a 3 years process to design and adopt a common public policy for violence prevention for the 10 municipalities.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To contribute to the design and evaluation of public policies of violence prevention based on scientific evidence, to achieve a reduction in violence.

Methods

This process included violence victimisation magnitude and distribution assessment, several types of aggression risk and protective factors (OR and Attributable population risk), analysis and discussion of evidence by international, national and local skate holders (academic, government, civil society) and community leaders, how to reach agreement on four public policy areas and on 13 specific programmes to implement the public policies, and formal approval by 10 mayors and city councils.

Results/Outcomes

This process followed a model proposed by Richmond that has four components: (1) an epidemiological surveillance system, (2) Empowerment of community leaders and municipal authorities relationship through municipal committees on violence prevention (created by decree by 10 mayors) to analyse scientific evidence and to discuss public policies and priorities, and approve them for the locality, (3) participate in the process to propose and approve public policy, (4) design, implementation and evaluation of programmes on violence prevention and promotion of resilience.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

This methodology was applied in 10 other municipalities in Antioquia, Colombia. This methodology can contribute in the public policies monitoring and evaluation.
Tendency of assaulted casualties during Songkran festival
Authors: Nitaya R , Ratchanee S , Siriluk K
Published: October 2012

Background

The Songkran Festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. In recent years during songkran festival there have been higher numbers of injured patients.

Objective

The study was conducted based on the tendency of assaulted casualties treated at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital during Songkran Festival in 2009–2011 (11–17 April of each year).

Methods

The data were collected in the form of Injury Surveillance Record.The Injury Codes were in ICD-10 and the Injury Severity Scores (ISS) were provided according to Modified AIS 85. The databases used were Thailand's Injury Surveillance Programme and Microsoft Excel.

Results

The results are the following figures. The averages of casualties during Songkran Festival in 2009–2011 are respectively 22, 17 and 20 people per day, which are three times higher than normal average of eight people per day. The percentages of casualties whose ISS is more than 16 are 6.5, 8.5 and 7.7 respectively (The year averages of 2009–2011 are 5.6, 4.9 and 3.9 consecutively). Hospital admission and fatality rates are slightly higher. 82% of casualties are male. The most-found injury cause is blunt objects assault (Y00) occupying 35% of all injuries, followed by 29% of sharp objects assault and 28% of physical assault. Most of the casualties (67%) drink alcohol as well as the 70% of fatalities.

Conclusions

At present, it is believed that the tendency of assaulted casualties which are likely to be increased in number and severity is unpreventable and unsolvable as it depends on emotional conditions and aggressiveness of each casualty. If the problem is not solved, the numbers and degrees of severity will be higher. Thus, we should adopt effective measures in order to reduce the figures, and let people celebrate the festival safely.
Trends in medical certification of injured workers by general practitioners in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Ruseckaite R , Collie A
Published: October 2012

Background

There is a growing recognition of the health benefits of work. General Practitioners (GPs) are encouraged to ensure injured workers return to the workplace, on the premise that return to work (RTW) aids recovery.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To determine if GPs medical certification behaviour has changed over the 14 year period to 2010 in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

We analysed a WorkSafe Victoria compensation research dataset of 317 744 working age individuals with ‘lost-time’ claims over the period of 1997–2010. Only the initial post-injury GPs certificates were included. Poisson count log-regression analysis was conducted to describe overall annual changes in amount and duration of ‘unfit for work’ and ‘alternate duties’ certificates.

Results/Outcomes

A total of 204 614 ‘unfit for work’ and 97 207 of ‘alternate duties’ certificates were analysed. We found a statistically significant decrease in the number of ‘unfit for work’ certificates, equal to 1457 fewer such certificates per annum in 2010 than in 1997 (by 6.8%, 95% CI −7% to −6.7%). However, a number of ‘alternate duties’ certificates raised by 1322 in 2010 than in 1997 (by 5.9%, 95% CI 5.1% to 6.7%). The average annual duration of ‘unfit for work’ certificates decreased by 1.6±1.9 days, and by 2.9±1.2 days in ‘altered duties’ certificates.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

There have been significant changes in the medical certification of injured workers by GPs in the state of Victoria since 1997. The decrease in number of medical certificates and their duration suggests that GPs possibly play an important role in returning injured workers back to their workplace earlier.
A conceptual framework for assessing the usefulness of safety interventions: a tribute to William Haddon Jr
Authors: Salmi LR , Lagarde E
Published: October 2012

Background

Haddon (1926–1985) introduced in the 60s his matrix and 10 countermeasures, and a public health approach to injury control. Integrating these tools in a more comprehensive framework should help decision making.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To present and illustrate a framework designed to provide simple and logical steps to assess and summarise available information on safety interventions.

Methods

We listed questions that are relevant to decision makers, and defined related concepts and needed information. The framework also includes an algorithm to assess available information and conclude. We illustrate the tool by assessing policies on screening for unsafe driving due to medical conditions.

Results/Outcomes

To implement an intervention, a decision should document: (1) the nature and size of the issue to be solved (burden and target); (2) the objective, structure and processes of the intervention (intervention); (3) the risk/effectiveness ratio (impact); (4) the practical and financial requirements to make the intervention work (efficiency); (5) the ability to guarantee appropriate ressources to cover all current and future needs (equity); and (6) the possibility of better interventions. Policies on screening for unsafe driving fail to properly document burden, and the complexity, impact and efficiency of the intervention; equity and possible other options are never raised.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

This framework could be useful to develop and promote interventions based on evidence.
Evaluation of pilot injury surveillance system in Sri Lanka
Authors: Samarakkody DC , Dharmarathna SD , Ellawala RN
Published: October 2012

Background

The Pilot Injury Surveillance System (ISS) had been implemented in seven hospitals in 2005 in Sri Lanka.

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of pilot ISS.

Methods

An evaluation team comprised of multi stake holders visited participating hospitals and conducted interviews with key informants. Evaluation criteria for the assessment were based on the WHO injury surveillance guidelines and interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis technique.

Results

Currently the system collets data only from Accident Service, National Hospital and there is no continues analysis and interpretation of data or provision of feedback to the relevant stakeholders for efficient planning. Lack of direct involvement from the Ministry of Health was the major reason for the failure of the Pilot ISS. This had been leading to lack of follow up of the system, lack of continues evaluation and feedback. As data was not utilised the staff was unmotivated and not participating in the system. Issues related to the data collection form, software and the data collecting process were also identified.

Contribution to the Field

The Pilot ISS in Sri Lanka does not operate efficiently and not comply with WHO guidelines on injury surveillance system. We recommend Injury Prevention Division of the Ministry of Health to function as the central coordinator of the ISS and allocating funds for maintenance and expansion of this system through the annual budget for long term sustainability. Further we recommend revising existing surveillance guides and tools and utilising surveillance data for effective planning of injury prevention programme.