bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unintentional injury mortality in India, 2005 – estimates from a nationally representative mortality survey of 1.1 million homes
Authors: Jagnoor J , Keay L , Ivers R , Suraweera W , Jha P
Published: March 2011

Background

Studies have suggested considerable injury mortality in India, a large proportion of these is due to unintentional injuries. However no reliable data are available to provide national estimates for these deaths.

Objective

To determine the mortality burden of unintentional injuries at a national level.

Methods

We analysed unintentional injury data from the Sample Registration System – Million death study from 2001 to 2003, using verbal autopsy method, in a nationally representative sample of over 125 000 deaths among 1.1 million homes.

Findings

Unintentional injuries (ICD-10 codes for Chapter XX) were identified and contributed 7% to all cause mortality. Proportionate mortality was highest in the age group of 70+ years, with more than 60% injury deaths due to falls, although there is also greater misclassification of causes at older ages. The highest proportions of drowning deaths were in under 5 years (14%), the highest proportion of road traffics deaths were in the age group of 30–39 years (10%) of all unintentional deaths. Proportionate mortality due to unintentional injury in males (8%) was higher than in females (5%). Overall there was no difference in rural urban proportionate mortality, though type of injury leading to deaths differed. Road traffic injuries (29%), falls (26%) and drowning (11%) were the leading causes of injury mortality.

Interpretation

Unintentional injury burden in India is substantial. There is need for continued monitoring of injury mortality and understanding of specific risk factors for development of effective injury prevention programs.
Developing risk awareness among young people: an essential component in preparing young people for the world of work
Authors: Stone N
Published: March 2011

Every 40 min, a young person will have been injured at work in Great Britain. In the last 10 years, 66 under-19s have been killed at work. All the evidence suggests that young people, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors, have a higher than average risk of being killed or injured in the workplace. There is a small but significant group of employers who do not take these legal responsibilities seriously and fail to ensure proper training and supervision.

The British Safety Council (BSC) is playing its part through funding entry level health and safety awareness qualifications for all 14–19 year olds in full time education in the UK before they embark on work experience or their first job. BSC has set aside 0.5m of its charitable funds each year over the period 2007–2017 to make that commitment reality.

In its second year, 2007/08 this qualification reached 40% of UK secondary schools. Although there is still a long way to go to make this important opportunity available and accessible to all young people preparing for the world of work the early signs from emerging evidence are that the training and qualification are helping to better equip young people to understand and help manage the risk of injury and ill-health they will face in the workplace. Evaluation of the effectiveness of this programme will be available in time to share with those attending the 2010 conference.
Bicycle helmet use among children in the United States: the effects of legislation, personal and household factors
Authors: Dellinger A M , Kresnow M
Published: March 2011

Background

Children ages 5–14 years have the highest rate of bicycle-related injuries in the country. However, helmet use among US children remains low. This paper compares children's helmet use to that estimated from an earlier study, and explores regional differences by existing helmet legislation.

Methods

Telephone interviews were completed by 9684 respondents. The subset with at least one child in the household (2409 respondents) answered questions about their bicycle helmet use.

Results

Almost half (48%) of the children always wore their helmet, 23% (373) sometimes wore their helmet, and 29% (477) never wore their helmet. Helmet wearing was significantly associated with race, ethnicity and child age (p values <0.01) but was not associated with the sex of the child. Other significant predictors (p values <0.01) of helmet use included household income, household education, census region and bicycle helmet law status. State-wide laws were more effective than laws covering smaller areas. The proportion of children who always wore a helmet increased from 25% in 1994 to 48.2% in 2001–2002. Significant increases in use from 20% to 26% were seen among both sexes, younger and older children, and in all four regions of the country.

Conclusions

While there has been substantial progress in the number of children who always wear their bicycle helmets, more than half do not. The task at hand is to maximise the use of helmets by taking full advantage of methods that promote consistent helmet use.
Road traffic fatalities among children in Ghana
Authors: Ackaah W
Published: March 2011

Objective

The key objective of the study was to establish the characteristics of fatal road traffic crashes involving children (≤15 years) and to recommend measures to control them.

Materials and Methods

Crash data for the period 2004–2008 in Ghana were analyzed using the micro-computer accident analysis package (MAAP) software. Recently published transport-related epidemiological and other studies provided additional data sources.

Results

Slightly over 9800 people were killed in road traffic crashes in Ghana during the 5-year period of which 19% were children. Majority (79%) of the children who died from these crashes were pedestrians. The child-pedestrian constituted 34% of all pedestrian fatalities. It was established that 76% of the children were hit by vehicles while crossing the road and were more likely to be boys (54%) than girls (46%). Compared to a child car-occupant, a child-pedestrian is about 20 times likely to die in a crash and majority (57%) of these crashes occurred on high speed roads passing through village settlements.

Conclusions and Recommendations

A high number of children are at risk in traffic as pedestrians and are most likely to be killed on high speed roads in the non-urban setting. Education on road safety for children must be directed at those living in village communities along the major highways. Road engineers and planners should redesign the village road sections to calm traffic and make conscious efforts to integrate safer pedestrian facilities in new and existing roads in Ghana.
Launching an industry led coalition for safety and health of agricultural workers
Authors: Lee B C , Fisher R M , Murphy D J
Published: March 2011

Agriculture is the most dangerous industry in the United States with an estimated annual 650 deaths, 90 000 injuries, and a death rate eight times greater than the all-industry average. Based on successes in Australia and Canada, we aimed to change this trend by having leaders within agricultural businesses and farm organisations become a unified voice for national agricultural safety initiatives. Beginning in 2006, we convened in-person meetings building momentum that launched the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) in late 2007. A compelling feature of this new organization was leadership dominated by people with authority to introduce safety measures within their respective agricultural networks. ASHCA leaders drafted a mission, governance structure, bylaws, and then identified strategic initiatives. ASHCAs Strategic Plan has priorities of: (a) promoting communications and partnerships; (b) promoting evidence-based best practices; (c) engaging with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) funded agricultural safety and health researchers and (d) guiding the research agenda of federal agencies, including NIOSH and US Department of Agriculture. Now 2 years later ASHCA has grown to encompass 30 organisations. In January 2010, ASHCA hosted a first of its kind national conference, Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture, uniting agricultural leaders, safety practitioners, researchers and farm workers in determining the best safety practices for workers in agriculture. Proceedings from this groundbreaking conference will be published in a dedicated issue of theJournal of AgromedicineJuly 2010 and used as a reference for agricultural producers and safety professionals.
Keep kids away from tractors childhood agricultural safety public awareness campaign
Authors: Fisher R M , Lee B C
Published: March 2011

The 2001 National Action Plan for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention in the United States, recommended that a network of child safety organisations should: develop a comprehensive, long-term, year-round public education campaign with messages about childhood agricultural injury prevention to be disseminated through a variety of media. In 2006, the Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN), comprised of 14 national organisations, launched an initiative to reduce childhood agricultural injuries and fatalities through public awareness that influences social norms and adult behaviours. Based on national injury and death data, CASN focused on children and tractors. With core funding from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health they adopted the principle that children under 12 years should never be on or near tractors. Participants solicited written and verbal perspectives regarding draft campaign materials from farm parents across the US feedback reports shaped the final poster images. In September 2006 the Keep Kids Away from Tractors campaign was launched. The primary poster depicted a grandfather and child on a tractor, with the slogan, Its easier to bury a tradition than a child. A Spanish version and two additional posters under the same theme were created and a website (www.childagsafety.org) was established. Data were collected on the Keep Kids Away from Tractors message in print publications during the first 12 months. Results revealed the campaign was featured in 115 publications including special interest magazines, listservs, websites and newspapers. As of January 2010, use of campaign materials by many safety organisations continues.
Implementation of the safety guidelines for hired adolescent farm workers
Authors: Lee B C , Fisher R M , Miller M E
Published: March 2011

The North American Guidelines for Childrens Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) were released in 1999 as a resource to assist parents in assigning farm jobs to children 7–16 years of age, on family farms. These guidelines have been proven to reduce the risk of agricultural injuries among family farm children by 50%. The NAGCAT were not intended for use in employment situations because they do not incorporate child labour regulations, known as the Hazardous Orders; nor do they reference any other workplace safety and health requirements under OSHA. In 2008 a project was undertaken to address the gap in resources for employers who hire adolescents for agricultural work. The result was the Safety Guidelines for Hired Adolescent Farm Workers (SaGHAF), a series of seven task-specific guidelines to address supervisor responsibilities including knowledge of adolescent characteristics. Training and supervision tips and pertinent federal labour regulations are included. In October 2008 an intervention was undertaken to identify optimal methods to integrate SaGHAF into field supervisors practices. The initial project focus was to integrate training workshops into existing venues for agricultural employers and field supervisors. Feedback from a limited number of participants indicated a customised training format was needed to account for low literacy supervisors who do not attend workshops. The project is being modified with a self-paced computer-based training resource that can be used by individuals within their time limitations. This resource will be pilot tested in early 2010 and results will be available in summer 2010.
Testing knowledge gain at car seat checks
Authors: Rosenthal K , Moss J , Schween R , Smith S J , Langenburg S
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Michigan mirrors the rest of the United States in motor vehicle deaths being the leading killer of children 1 through 14 years of age.

Methods

Car seat checks (CSC) are commonly held throughout the United States, but how do we know if those checks are making a difference to the safety of children. To assess if the education provided increased parents/caregivers understanding regarding child passenger safety, in January, 2009 we started administering knowledge based pre and post-tests at CSCs to all parents/caregivers receiving education.

In 2009, 251 parents completed tests at a CSC. The pretest was composed of 22 questions; seven personal information and 15 questions based on general child passenger safety guidelines. Three separate unique post-tests were used indentifying the type of child restraint needed for each child; rear facing, forward facing and booster seats, each comprised of five questions. The family completed the post-test(s) that correspond with the seats checked/distributed, so one or all three tests may have been used.

Results

The pretest average score was 61%. The post-test average score was 83%. Showing an overall increase in knowledge of 36%. Some of the areas of greatest increase include; safest seating location in vehicles had an increase of 57%, length of time for a child to be rear facing increased by 52% and proper usage of backless booster seats increased 184%. The increase in post test score is statistically significant using a CI of 95% we obtained z-score of 5.21.
Incidents and major causes of suicides in India (1997–2007)
Authors: Deb S
Published: March 2011

The epidemiology of suicide in India from 1997 to 2007 was explored in order to ascertain the incidence and rates of suicide by gender, age groups, marital status, state, causes and method used for suicide. The study was based on secondary data. About 1 22 637 people lost their lives by committing suicide in India during the year 2007, which means 14 suicides took place every hour. The number of suicides in the country during the last decade recorded an increase of 28.7%. The rate of suicide per 1 lakh population in India was 10.8 during 2007 compared to 10.5 during 2006. In terms of rate of suicide per 1 lakh population, Puducherry reported the highest rate of suicide (48.6), followed by A&N Islands (38.5). The overall male:female ratio of suicide victims for the year 2007 was 65:35. It was observed that 77.5% of the suicide victims were married while 20.8% were unmarried. Family problems and illness accounting for 23.8% and 22.3% respectively were the major causes of suicides among the specified causes. Love affairs (2.8%), bankruptcy (2.7%), poverty (2.3%) and dowry disputes (2.6%) were the other causes driving people towards suicides. In the case of children, failure in examination was one of the main causes of suicide. Suicide by consuming poison (35.0%), hanging (31.7%), self-immolation (8.5%) and downing (6.8%) were the prominent means of committing suicide in India. The findings of the present study suggested multiple approaches for preventing suicidal ideology in India.
Using lay home educators to provide safety messages in Dallas, TX, USA
Authors: Stephens-Stidham S , Trudeau J , Istre G , Weir C , Johnson U , Anderson R
Published: March 2011

Background

Home visitation programs designed to decrease the risk of child maltreatment are well supported by research. However, there is a lack of research on the efficacy of home visitation programs conducted by lay educators. To examine if lay educators could provide education that impacts specific behaviour changes, the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas partnered with the Texas Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters to implement a residential fire and scald burn prevention project.

Methods

The educators were randomly assigned into intervention and comparison groups. Pre intervention home assessments were conducted in both the intervention and comparison groups. Educators in the intervention group provided literature and one-time verbal education to participants on smoke detectors and proper hot water temperature. Educators in the comparison group only provided written literature. The post intervention assessments were conducted 2 months following the preassessment.

Results

The prevalence of smoke detectors increased in both the comparison and intervention groups (intervention 13% increase; comparison 11% increase). In the intervention group, 14% decreased hot water temperature to at or below 120 degrees. Among the comparison group, 6% decreased hot water temperature to at or below 120 degrees.

Conclusion

There were limitations in the study and a second phase will be implemented. However, the program appears to be a cost-effective method to providing safety messages to families.
Self-reported alcohol-impaired driving among adults in the United States, 2006 and 2008
Authors: Shults R A , Beck L , Dellinger A M
Published: March 2011

Background

Alcohol-impaired driving crashes claim about 13 000 lives each year in the United States.

Objective

We estimated the prevalence of alcohol-impaired driving (AID) among adults using 2006 and 2008 data from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Methods

AID was assessed by asking, during the past 30 days, that is since ____, how many times have you driven when you perhaps had too much to drink? Annualised weighted estimates and rates of AID episodes were calculated for the United States and by state.

Results

Of the 754 539 BRFSS respondents in 2006 and 2008, 1.1% of women and 3.4% of men reported at least one AID episode in the past 30 days. The annualised national rate of AID episodes was 646 per 1000 population. Men aged 18–24 years, who make up 7% of the total adult population, accounted for 27% of all AID episodes. Annualised AID rates varied more than sevenfold across states, from 165 per 1000 population in Utah to 1242 per 1000 population in Iowa. States in midsection generally had higher AID rates than those in the south and northeast.

Conclusions

Alcohol-impaired driving remains prevalent. These results can aid states in monitoring trends in AID and intervening with groups at greater risk for AID.
Implementing effective injury interventions in local communities
Authors: Layde P , Christiansen A , Guse C , Peterson D
Published: March 2011

Community-based injury interventions that have been shown to be effective in controlled trials are often not widely implemented, resulting in unnecessary injuries. One reason for the failure to implement effective interventions is the gulf between researchers and local health authorities. Research-driven approaches to translation into practice emphasise the scientific basis of prevention by disseminating rigorously evaluated interventions from academic and governmental agencies into local communities but may suffer from a lack of community ownership which may jeopardize implementation and sustainability. Bottom-up approaches to community health improvement emphasize community leadership in identifying and developing and implementing health improvement strategies but may suffer by implementing unproven programs which address community priorities ineffectively. In this presentation we propose a model to unite the two approaches to injury intervention at the community level. To develop this Evidence-Driven Community Health Improvement Process (EDCHIP) model we started with the framework of Community Health Improvement Process, developed by the Institute of Medicine, and added explicit steps for incorporating scientific evidence into planning, implementing and evaluating community injury interventions. We discuss the model in the context of a randomised community trial of a multi-factorial intervention to reduce fall injuries in older adults. In the trial, the intervention communities are using the EDCHIP model to implement the fall prevention program while the standard communities are the traditional approach. Emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalisations for fall injuries in adults 65 years and older are the primary outcome variables.
The influence of female genital mutilation on the issue of delivery and the life of newborn
Authors: Ouedraogo D
Published: March 2011

This survey has been done in four maternity wards of Fada Ngourma in Burkina Faso from 15 June 2007 to 15 August 2007

The survey concerns those who are mutilated and not who have come for delivery during this period and results have been analysed on Epi-info 3.2.

Two hypothesies occur:

▶

The practice of FGM has an influence on the issue of delivery

▶

The complication of delivery may occur according to the type of female genital mutilation (FGM).

The survey has four main objectives

▶

Describe the socio-demographic of women received during this period of survey

▶

Describe the main type of FGM practiced in Fada Ngourma

▶

Appreciate the consequences of FGM upon those who are circumcised and the issue of newborn

▶

Propose some solutions to fight against FGM

This survey has only one interest – reduction of this background practice in Burkina Faso.

Data collection has been on 354 women and the survey shows really that there is the FGM is big risk to the delivery of women and constitutes one of the major leading complications during delivery, postpartum like episiotomy, caesarean section, stillbirth.

The type II and III of FGM have the highest risk that occur during delivery.
Accidental deaths in India in the last decade
Authors: Deb S
Published: March 2011

The objective of the present secondary study was to ascertain the incidence and rates of accidental deaths in India in terms of natural and un-natural causes, gender and age groups. The reported data shows a mixed trend regarding the incidents of accidental deaths during the decade 1997–2007 with an increase of 45.7% in the year 2007 compared to 1997. A total of 3 40 794 accidental deaths were reported in the country during 2007 showing an increase of 8.3% compared to previous year. The percentage of accidental deaths due to causes attributable to nature and those due to un-natural causes were 7.4% and 92.6% respectively. The share of accidental deaths due to causes attributable to nature has increased from 6.8% in 2006 to 7.4% in 2007. The proportion of deaths due to un-natural causes has decreased from 93.2% in 2006 to 92.6% in 2007. Deaths due to causes attributable to nature included avalanche, earthquake, heat stroke and flood. The accidental deaths due to un-natural causes were mainly on account of road accidents (36.3%), railway accidents and rail road accidents (8.3%), drowning (8.6%), poisoning (8.1%), sudden deaths (6.8%) and fire accidents (6.6%). Nearly, 76.7% of the victims of causes attributable to nature were males. Age-wise nearly 6.6% of such victims were up to 14 years of age while 54.4% were in the age group of 15–44 years. Senior citizens (60 years and above) constituted 14.7% of the total victims. The findings suggest a number of measures for prevention of accidental deaths.
The Advocacy In Action Study (AIAS): a randomised controlled trial of an advocacy package directed at elected councillors to improve pedestrian safety in high risk deprived neighbourhoods
Authors: Lyons R A , Kendrick D , Towner E M , Coupland C , Hayes M , Christie N , Kimberlee R , Jones S , Turner S , Brussoni M , Groom L , Macey S , Mulvaney C , Rodgers S E , Sleney J , Smith S , Stewart J , Vinogradova Y
Published: March 2011

Objectives

To determine whether an advocacy package aimed at elected councillors resulted in improved pedestrian safety in deprived areas.

Methods

Cluster randomised controlled trial involving 617 councillors from 239 wards in England and Wales, from deprived areas with high pedestrian injury rates. The intervention group were provided with information and maps on casualty sites, numbers and effective interventions. Outcomes were measured at 3, 18 and 27 months.

Results

The intervention improved short-term outcomes such as increasing councillors interest in child accident prevention (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.16), increasing belief they could take action to help prevent child accidents (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.61), and particularly on pedestrian safety (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.03). By 18 months 63% of intervention councillors reported involvement in supporting new pedestrian road safety schemes. However, pedestrian safety measure changes were statistically non-significant: difference in road length traffic calmed (0.07 km, 95% CI: −0.07 to 0.20); proportion of schools with 20 mph zones (RR 1.47, 95% CI: 0.93 to 2.32), Safe Routes to School (RR 1.34, 95% CI: 0.83 to 2.17; or proportion providing practical pedestrian training (RR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.61).

Implications

The AIAS intervention succeeded in raising councillors awareness of and interest in pedestrian safety but failed to improve engineering or educational measures of pedestrian safety. Longer term supported advocacy may be needed for change.
Driving school students training with the use of a new method contributing to change in young drivers attitude and reducing the number of road accident with their participation
Authors: Wacowska-Slezak J , Wnuk A
Published: March 2011

The aim of the paper is to present the European Project MODULE CLOSE-TO realisation in Poland. The paper describes main objectives and guidelines of the project. The projects main result should be the development of conditions for unification of drivers training system across Europe by introducing into drivers training new educational module. The module consists in realisation of educational method called peer-to-peer during drivers training, which is taken from addiction treatment prevention in which a peer reports on a problem to another peer. In drivers training, the course participants are confronted with road accident offenders and their stories, which should lead to positive changes in attitudes and behaviours of young drivers and therefore to permanent reduction in number of road accidents and casualties. The preliminary research confirmed that classes with road accident offenders have a positive influence on developing proper attitudes of young drivers. A discussion concentrated on offender, his/her susceptibility to risky behaviours, accidents circumstances, confrontation with its consequences and on serving an adjudged sentence makes an impression on young course participants. The project anticipates introduction of pilot classes in driving schools within the framework of drivers training with participation of road accident offenders and also evaluation of its influence on course participants. The final effect of the project will be the development of conditions for introducing a new educational module into existing drivers training system as well as developing conditions for recruiting accident offenders and actions motivating them to join the project realisation.
Analysis of gender violence cases on materials of forensic medical evaluations and data of anonymous inquires
Authors: Iskandarov A I , Ganieva S M
Published: March 2011

Carrying out forensic medical evaluation at gender violence in the Republic of Uzbekistan is one of the important chains of disclosing, being connected with sexual violence. The aim of gender violence cases analysis.

Materials

Materials for study were 370 cases of forensic medical evaluations in sexual crimes and 408 anonymous maps-inquiries for latent criminality study. Result of research. Schoolchildren were 35.7%, students were 16.7%. Among the schoolchildren the majority victims-girls were from professional colleges (82.7%), the rests were pupils from the secondary schools (17.3%). At study anonymous maps-inquiries on the first place by types of gender violence the force from the intimate partner was 76.2%, then sexual violence in the childhood was 12.4%, violence in adult age was 7.5% and others. The analysis of maps-inquiries allowed to underline three groups of women: (1) being undergone to gender violence from the side of intimate partner; (2) being undergone to from the side of other persons; (3) who could avoid violence at real existing threat.

Conclusions

(1) Gender violence is high latent kind of crimes, witnessing on data of women who doesn't address to legal protective offices (48%). (2) Monitoring of sexual crimes in the Republic of Uzbekistan is necessary. (3) Raise of public knowledge in gender violence is one of their guarantee for their prevention. (4) It is necessary to enter problems of prophylaxis violence at all stages to curriculum on the level both secondary and higher education.
Children safety in cars: polish measures contributing to increase the use of child restrain system
Authors: Dabrowska-Loranc M , Wacowska-Slezak J
Published: March 2011

The article presents the realisation of European Road Safety Campaign in Poland. The project consisted in carrying out activities aiming at increasing the number of children properly transported in cars according to Act on Road Traffic regulations in restrains adequate for child's weight and height.

All activities leading to executing the main goal of this project were realised with the support of and in cooperation with the Police, Ministry of National Education and Ministry of Transport. Motor Transport Institute was responsible for all activities undertaken within the project and its realisation in Poland. The project was realised simultaneously in 15 EU countries.

The activities encompassed media campaign adjusted to each countries specificity and addressed to children (4–12 years old) and their parents. The campaign was combined with the educational programme executed in schools and kindergartens and increased police controls. These activities were recognised in Poland as social campaigns in the field of road traffic safety realised under the banner of Armadillo club always belt up.

In 2005, at the beginning of the campaign the research showed that in Poland 52% of children were transported properly in cars while travelling.

All research carried out annually after each edition of the campaign indicated gradual increase in the number of children transported properly according to valid regulations.

Research conducted after 3 years of the campaign showed that more than 80% of children in Poland were transported properly during each car trip.
Analysing youth gangs in Glasgow
Authors: Linden W
Published: March 2011

Youth gangs remain a considerable police and public health challenge. Knife crime is a significant cause of premature mortality and morbidity in Glasgow. Examples of gang fighting in Glasgow can be traced back to the 1700s, but the phenomena escalated in the 1840s following mass migration, rapid population expansion and the emergence of territorialism.

By examining the intra and inter gang networks and the importance of territorialism, there is an opportunity to improve our understanding of the impact youth gangs have on the life choices and chances of gang members and the wider communities in which they operate.

The analysis is drawn from police intelligence and crime data as well as primary research conducted with gang members and youth organisations. Application of the principles of criminal intelligence analysis when combined with anthropological study creates a picture of those involved in, or affected by, the activities of youth gangs.

Territorialism and gang membership is deeply ingrained in the east end of Glasgow and the feelings of belonging and camaraderie engendered have replaced traditional family bonds. The particular impact of territorialism is far reaching on both gang members and wider communities, making it difficult for agencies to provide services. Shifting patterns of gang alliances and rivalries complicate the picture further and contribute to our understanding of violence among these groups as being largely recreational in nature. The presentation will highlight how these challenges must be overcome if we are to improve the success of prevention strategies
TAPE-a web based tool for monitoring injuries in elderly care
Authors: Nurmi-Luthje I , Karjalainen K , Pauna M
Published: March 2011

Objective

Remarkable amount of injuries among older people takes place in Finland every year. However, systematic injury registration is lacking. Injuries cause suffering for victims and remarkable costs for the society. One goal of the Finnish Centre for Injury and Violence Prevention was to create a web-based application for recording and monitoring injury data in order to use the data for injury prevention.

Material and Methods

Databases for injuries taking place among older people in hospital inpatient care and institutional care, in municipal home-care as well as in municipal and private residential care were planned with the professionals of elderly care. Consequently, in cooperation with a Finnish software company, TAPE software was developed. TAPE was adopted gradually in 2006. Details on injuries and injury related factors are prospectively recorded by the staffs. TAPE data reporting is in real time: all the recorded injury data can be viewed immediately as graphs.

Results

TAPE is in active use in the units of elderly care. So far, around 6500 injuries have been recorded and several injury hazards recognised by the TAPE software. On the basis of TAPE data, preventive interventions have been implemented in facilities.

Discussion

The main purpose of TAPE software is to use it for injury prevention as near as possible to the scene. However, it is a tool for safety management and promotion for those in charge, as well. The feedback received from the software users is important and it is used for the further development and improvement of the tool.
Centre for Injury and Violence Prevention (Start)
Authors: Nurmi-Luthje I , Karjalainen K , Pauna M
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The purpose of the Centre for Injury and Violence Prevention is the regular compilation and monitoring of statistics on injuries, including self-harm and assaults, and the use of these statistical data in injury prevention.

Methods

Injuries are recorded and monitored

On the population level using the patient information system where an injury database (injury view) has been created. The data from the first visit following an accident are recorded in the emergency rooms.

On the unit level using the Internet-based TAPE injury follow-up software in child day care, schools and in hospital departments and in home care, residential care and institutional care of the older people. The units are able to see their injury data in real time as graphs.

The data are used for identifying the risk groups and implementing preventive interventions as well as for monitoring risk behaviour, treatment practices, and health and well-being. The intervention work has commenced with preventive interventions targeted at motorcyclist and cyclist injuries and falls involving senior citizens.

Conclusions

The injury follow-up system as well as the preventive methods that are proven to be effective, may be introduced anywhere. Health centres and hospitals may use the injury view solution. The TAPE software is a purchasable product. Continuous, systematic follow-up is a good representation not only of accidents but also of risk behaviour in a population and, on the other hand, a populations health and well-being and changes in them over a period of time.
Commercial driver accident research survey
Authors: Mir M U , Razzak J , Ahmad K
Published: March 2011

Background

Road traffic incidents (RTIs) are on the rise in Pakistan with a disproportionately higher number of accidents involving commercial vehicles.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of driver related causes potentially contributing to the occurrence of RTIs involving commercial vehicles in Pakistan, including driving behaviours, fatigue, sleep inadequacy, substance abuse and other risky practices while driving.

Methods

A cross sectional survey in Rawalpindi using Time Location Cluster Sampling was done and 857 commercial vehicle drivers were interviewed after obtaining informed consent. Questions on driving behaviours, sleep, fatigue, marijuana and alcohol use while driving, vehicle maintenance and other health related issues were asked. Information was also collected from the drivers about having had an accident in the last 5 years. Weighted statistical analysis was performed using SAS v9.2.

Results

Factor analysis identified four driving behaviours, substance abuse, cautious/safe driving, aggression and confident driving. Alcohol was used by 9.9% of truckers and marijuana by 22.9% of drivers. Bad vehicle maintenance prevailed in 65.1% of vehicles, seatbelts were never used by 51.4%, 54.9% of the drivers reported being fatigued while working. Positive association was found with alcohol use (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.39)and bad vehicle maintenance (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.68 to 7.05). Seat belt use was negatively associated with accident involvement (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.32 to 5.64).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of commercial drivers practicing unsafe driving habits on the roads of Pakistan which is potentially promoting RTIs. A multisectoral approach needs to be adapted for effective control of all the different factors.
Descriptive epidemiology of rhabdomyolysis in active duty US Army Soldiers, 2004–2007
Authors: Hill O T , Wahi M M , Carter R , Kay A B , Wallace R F
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a skeletal muscle disorder resulting in severe cellular injury caused by vigorous physical activity (exertional) as well as other systemic aetiologies (non-exertional). The sparse peer-reviewed literature on RM has limitations (eg, small samples and specialised study populations). We identified all clinically presenting RM in the entire US Active Duty Army (ADA) (2004–2007) to examine descriptive characteristics associated with RM in soldiers.

Methods

We utilised the Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database, which contains ADA personnel and health data, to develop crude and stratified annual rates. A case of RM was any soldier having an ICD-9-CM diagnosis code of 728.88 within inpatient or outpatient clinical encounter records, consistent with prior administrative data research. Soldier characteristics examined included gender, age, race, marital status, education and length of service.

Results

Annual rates of RM remained fairly stable, ranging from 53 to 66 RM cases per 100 000 soldiers. Subtle rate fluctuations were observed. Rates were highest for: African-Americans (AAs) (97–119 per 100 000), those with <1 year of service (<1 SVC) (88–128 per 100 000), males (54–71 per 100 000), those <20 years of age (50–92 per 100 000), single soldiers (58–75 per 100 000) and those without a high school diploma (56–103 per 100 000).

Conclusion

AAs and <1 SVC appear more susceptible to RM, in part due to the increased prevalence of sickle cell trait within AAs, as well as vigorous initial physical training. As soldiers at risk for RM are further identified, safety and injury prevention programmes should target these populations.
The Portuguese National Programme for Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention
Authors: von Amann G Paixo
Published: March 2011

In Portugal, injuries kill almost 2500 persons, annually, further causing harm and disability to millions more. Unintentional injuries (ICD codes V01-X59) account for 52% of all deaths due to external causes. Moreover, mortality of young people aged between 5 and 24 represents 44% of the global rate. The standardisation of date displays a ‘picture’ of Portuguese injuries during the lifecycle.

The Ministry of Health has long recognised injuries, as a public health problem. In 2009, a National Programme based on a prevention-oriented approach has been developed with representatives of both governmental and non-governmental organisations and stakeholders.

The National Programme covers issues, such as data collection, prevention, capacity-building and advocacy. Strategies encompass the strengthening of community action with environmental change, legislative measures, support for the victims and their families, research, assessment and cooperation among the various sectors. This policy document, opened for public discussion, was subsequently enriched with critics and suggestions.

Within the scope of the National Health Plan, the National Programme focus on safety promotion and injury prevention in specific settings, such as home, schools, workplaces, sports and leisure facilities, further explores environmental-related factors, and also highlights the interface among different sectors. In 2009, a national campaign on child injury prevention was launched, based on WHO posters and research on the effectiveness of a science-based teaching intervention was promoted. Finally, guidelines were produced to support surveillance and evaluation. The Ministry of Health shall take the leadership in the development of this Programme, up to 2016.
Cluster randomised trials in injury research: a how-to guide
Authors: DiGuiseppi C , Kendrick D , Coupland C
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Are you thinking about conducting a cluster randomised trial (CRT) but feel unsure about what design issues you must consider? Do you read published CRTs and wonder if they were properly conducted? If so, this workshop is for you.

Background

CRTs involve the random allocation of existing groups of individuals to intervention and control groups. They are particularly suited to group-level interventions commonly used for injury prevention, such as mass media campaigns or clinic- or school-based education. However, CRTs are more complex to design, implement and analyse than are individually randomised trials. Investigators must understand these complexities to successfully design and conduct CRTs.

Objectives

After this 90-min interactive workshop, participants will be able to:

Justify use of a CRT design.

Decide who should consent to participation, when additional input from cluster members is required, and how to address refusals and withdrawals.

Address risks for selection, attention, dilution and information bias unique to CRTs.

Identify an appropriate intracluster correlation coefficient and apply it to sample size estimation.

Recognise the need to take clustering into account in data analysis.

Approach

Workshop coordinators will provide brief overviews of key methodological concepts. Participants will work in small groups, facilitated by workshop coordinators, to apply these concepts to trials proposed by participants and facilitators, or already published. An easy-to-use spreadsheet for estimating required sample size will be provided. Several laptops will be available; each participant is encouraged to bring a laptop and an idea for a CRT.
Preventing ways of acute poisoning in children
Authors: Ganieva S M , Iskandarov A I , Abdurahmanova M O
Published: March 2011

Among evils, bringing children by civilisation and technical progress for the last decades, especially significant are traumas and poisoning. The aim of study is carry out of quantitative diagnostics criteria and evaluation severity degree of chemical traumas in children and recommendations on their prevention. Material for study were 62 cases of acute poisoning among children at the age from 5 months to 18 years by the most wide-spread poisons: industrial ones dichlorethan, acetic acid; domestic are PhOI compounds (carbophos, chlorophosis), medicines soporifics from the group of barbituric acid (Phenobarbital). More often the poisonings take place at the age under 5 years old; in our study the poisonings at this age were 72.6%. It is explained by large inquisitiveness and activity of early and preschool age children. Very dangerous age is from 1 to 3 years, the poisonings at this age were 59.7% in our observations. The second little peak is observed at the age 12–14 years. It is explained by more frequent attempts of suicide in pubertal period. Among poisoned boys were more 67.7% cases than girls were 32.3%. This fact can be explained by higher activity of boys young and preschool age, their big inquisitiveness and inclination to adventures. Thus, the main ways of preventing acute poisonings in children are: creating intellectual computer system on base of toxicometric researches; creating electron database in toxicology; creating International informative toxicologic centre; instructive work among parents; put scientific working-outs on toxicology into practice.
Accuracy of self-report of on-road crashes and traffic offences in a cohort of young drivers: the DRIVE study
Authors: Boufous S , Ivers R , Senserrick T , Stevenson M , Norton R , Williamson A
Published: March 2011

Background

While surveys are widely used to measure the incidence of on-road crashes and offences, little is known about the validity of self-reports of these events, particularly among young drivers. This study examines the accuracy of self-report of on-road crashes and traffic offences among participants in the DRIVE study: a cohort study of 20 822 drivers aged 17–24-year-old, recently licensed in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

A total of 2991 DRIVE study participants who completed the follow-up questionnaire, approximately 2 years after joining the study, were asked whether they had been involved in an on-road crash or were convicted for a traffic offence during the year prior to the survey. This information was subsequently linked to police recorded crash and offence data to determine the level of accuracy of these self-reports.

Results

Young drivers reported more crashes and traffic offences than those recorded in the police database during the 1 year study period. The findings showed a high level of accuracy in young drivers self-report of police recorded crashes (85.1%; 95% CI 78.2% to 92.1%) and of police recorded traffic offences (83.0%; 95% CI 79.4% to 86.6%).

Conclusions

The results suggest that surveys may be useful tools for estimating the incidence of traffic crashes and offences in young drivers. The findings are particularly relevant to jurisdictions where access to administrative data is limited.
Safety management system in university: case study KMUTT, Thailand
Authors: Chaisawadi S , Suwanyuen S
Published: March 2011

To maintain safety for all students and staff in the university, King Mongkuts University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) is committed to the proper management of safety and provides safety management service through the Energy Environment Safety and Health Office. Safety management system has been developed according to standard practice and focused on laboratory and workshop safety including chemical and biological safety; electrical safety and mechanical safety. Safety policy has been issued by university president since March 2004. Training and preparation on the developed safety management system have been given to all students and staff who work in laboratories and workshops. Risk assessment has been evaluated in all laboratories and workshops once a year. Proper safety equipments and personal protective equipment have been provided for students and staff. Safety training for applying safety test and safety card has been implemented for all who worked in laboratories and workshops. The system procedures and manuals for laboratory safety have been developed and implemented for all laboratories and workshops for 5 years (June 2004 to June 2009). The results showed 6997 students and staff attended the safety training and applied safety test for safety card. The accidental reports also showed 60% decrease. The system evaluation has been done on the fifth year of system implementation. The results showed the implementation requires the cooperation and support from students, faculties and staff members. Therefore, it is quite ready to expand this management system to other universities and other sectors in Thailand in a near future. As results of this study, the developed safety management system within KMUTT can help to decrease the chemical; biological, electrical and mechanical accidents and health impacts and maintain a sustainable management to all staffs and public.