bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
About 90% of injuries under school supervision occur during exercise and sports in high school (A review of accident reports of Kyoto prefectural high schools in 2007)
Authors: Kimura M , Okayama Y , Yamagucchi T , Masumoto T
Published: March 2011

In Japan, there is a mutual aid organisation participated in by nearly all children from kindergarten to high school that compensates for damage inflicted under school supervision. In this study, individual cases of damage at high schools in Kyoto Prefecture compensated for by this system in 2007 were reviewed to evaluate measures to reduce injuries under school supervision at high schools. Two thousand seven hundred and forty-nine injuries except those caused by traffic accidents reported by 47 high schools in Kyoto Prefecture in 2007 were analysed. Injuries occurred (1) 1.6 times more frequently in males than in females, (2) more frequently in children of lower grades and (3) about 90% of them occurred during exercise or sports (60% during extracurricular activities, 20% during gym classes and 10% at other times). (4) About half the injuries involved the lower limbs, (5) sprain and fracture each accounted for about 20% of the injuries, (6) About 30% of the injuries were mild, requiring less than 2 weeks until cure, but 38 injuries required 3 months or longer until cure. (7) A high percentages of the injuries that occurred during extracurricular activities were related to ball games and (8) were caused by overwork or accidents. From these data, improvements in the contents and environment of exercise and sports, during which about 90% of all injuries occurred, are considered necessary to reduce injuries under school supervision at high school. Particularly, measures to prevent injuries during extracurricular activities should be evaluated.
Family socioeconomic status and various types of fall injuries among young people
Authors: Hasselberg M
Published: March 2011

Problem and Objective

Studies focusing on the socioeconomic distribution of fall injuries among children are few and show mixed results. Previous studies are mainly area-based and no studies have investigated the relationship between family socioeconomic position and subgroups of fall injuries. The current study examines whether socioeconomic position affect the risk of having fall related injuries of different types.

Method

This population-based cohort study links Swedish national register data for a cohort of 1 544 047 individuals born between 1977 and 1991. Individual records from the 1985 census were linked to the National Hospital Discharge Register for the period 1998–2004. Fall injuries requiring hospitalisation were recorded (n=38 529). Logistic regressions were used to measure the effect (odd ratios) of socio-economic position on eight subgroups of fall injuries (based on external codes, ICD-10).

Results

An analysis of all types of fall aggregated (W00-W19) showed no significant differences between young people from different socioeconomic groups. However, analyses of subgroups of falls showed that children of manual workers had significant higher odds of having injuries related to falls from playground equipment (OR 1.35 (1.21 to 1.50), stairs (OR 1.48, CI 1.30 to 1.69), trees (1.36 (1.17 to 1.58) and falls from buildings (OR 1.38 CI 1.18 to 1.60). On the other hand, children in lower socioeconomic groups had significantly lower odds for sport related falls compared to children of parents who are intermediate- and high level salaried employees.

Conclusion

This study indicates that when falls are split into subgroups the effect of low socioeconomic position can be both protective and aggravating.
Annual incidence and cost of non-fatal farm youth injury in the United States, 2001–2006
Authors: Zaloshnja E , Miller Ted R
Published: March 2011

Objective

Estimate the annual incidence and cost of non-fatal farm youth injury in the United States for the period 2001–06.

Methods

We used 2001–06 Childhood Agricultural Injury Survey data to estimate the annual incidence of farm youth non-fatal injury. To estimate the costs of injuries suffered by youth working/living on the farm, we multiplied the number of injuries times published unit costs by body part, nature of injury and age group.

Results

The annual number of non-fatal injuries to farm youth (ages 0–19) in 2001–2006 was 26 570. Of those, 45.1% occurred to household youth not working (95% CI: 39.6 to 50.6). The annual cost of non-fatal farm youth injuries was $119.9 million (in 2005 dollars). The bulk of it ($92.1 million) was comprised of medical costs. The mean cost was $4515 per case (95 CI $4273 to $4757).
Fife Cares
Authors: Spacey P , Pairman S , McCall M
Published: March 2011

‘Fife Cares’ is an integral part of Fife Community Safety Partnerships work to improve the safety of vulnerable residents and deliver the community safety outcome Fewer injuries and losses of life at home and on the roads. Through home visits, the service addresses specific needs and provides tailored advice and assistance.

Each visit involves a room by room check for hazards. Electrical sockets, flexes and domestic appliances are checked and minor repairs carried out. Households with no working smoke alarms, are offered the free installation of 10-year battery operated smoke alarms. Advisers undertake a needs assessment, allowing clients to benefit from follow-up visits from partner agencies.

Service benefits are measured using a range of outcome measures, number of people visited and feedback from clients and partner services. Figures from NHS Fife indicate the number of emergency hospital admissions involving children aged 16 and under following a home accident declined by 33% between 2001 and 2007. Between 2002 and 2008 admissions involving older people aged 60+ declined by 4%.

The numbers of primary fires, have decreased by 31% over the last 5 years with a decrease of 12% from last year.

Feedback from partner agencies suggests the service is both effective and valued. Client feedback shows the service promotes peace of mind - helping them to feel safer and more secure in their own homes.

Fife Cares is leading nationally, providing an effective model for addressing the safety concerns of vulnerable groups in a cost-effective and targeted way.
The epidemiology and continued monitoring of burn injury in England and Wales
Authors: Dunn K
Published: March 2011

In order to prevent injury in a large population one must first understand the distribution geographically, across social and age groups and analyse the differing forms of causation and severity. Not simply as a snapshot but the variation of these variables over time. Continuing analysis is imperative to assess the impact of any prevention methodologies employed. For the first time, these variables can be described for at least one form of injury in England and Wales. By considering a variety of data sources concerning burn injury, the epidemiology can for the first time be accurately be described for the entire population of England and Wales. By analysing and extrapolating representative information from regionally held Emergency Department data sets, adding these to National Health Service Hospital Episode Statistics (NHS.HES) data (1990 to 2009 225K cases), and most crucially data (2003–2009 25K cases) from the International Burn Injury Database (www.iBIDb.org) a full picture has emerged. Analysis has allowed cross validation of capture rates between NHS and iBID data sets and has allowed estimates of the injury load down to small geographical areas (lower super output areas). For rare severe injuries, particularly in children, larger catchment groupings are more appropriate (postcode district) and reveal wide variations in injury incidence rates, particularly in paediatric age groups. Similarly the modes of injury differ both geographically and over time. This complex interrelation will be the subject of the presentation.
A mental models methodology for understanding use (and non-use) of preventive measures
Authors: Austin L C , Butte G , Thorne S
Published: March 2011

Experts are often baffled by the behaviour of non-experts. Why won't people use bike helmets? Or stair rails? Or personal hearing protection? Safety items that are readily available, sometimes even required at work, often go unused. Experts may wonder, ‘What are they thinking?’

Individuals' behaviours are shaped by their mental models – their internal representations of beliefs they find relevant to a situation, and the relationships among those beliefs. We present a mental models methodology, which was developed by decision scientists and cognitive psychologists and offers an empirically validated approach for comparing how experts and non-experts think about the benefits, costs and tradeoffs of potential risks and related prevention. This method has been used to compare thinking about food safety, municipal drinking water, safety in the home and occupational safety. It offers a systematic approach to: (1) elicit how experts think about a given risk and related preventive measures; (2) diagram a consensus of expert thinking using an influence diagram; (3) elicit how non-experts think about the same risk and related prevention; (4) compare expert and non-expert thinking in order to reveal gaps, misperceptions and differences in how the two groups think about the same risk and prevention; and (5) develop effective risk management strategies and risk communications specifically focused on the issue at hand. We present the method using examples from mental models research projects we have conducted.
Adolescent homicide victims, offenders and circumstances in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Swart L , Seedat M
Published: March 2011

Although homicide is the leading cause of non-natural death for South African adolescents, little is known about the circumstances surrounding such homicides. This study examines homicides that occurred among adolescents (15–19 years) in Johannesburg during the period 2001–2007, and describes victim and offender characteristics, victim–offender relationships and event characteristics. A typological analysis is presented to identify particular categories of homicides for the purposes of informing appropriate prevention strategies.

A total of 451 adolescent homicides were drawn from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System which provides information on the victim, external cause of death, time and location of death. Of these cases, 247 (54.8%) were followed up via police case records to obtain information on offenders and homicide circumstances.

Of the 195 cases eligible for analysis, 81.0% of the victims were male and 25.6% tested positive for alcohol. Most of the offenders were male (89.7%), comprising of strangers (41.5%) and acquaintances (30.8%). Homicides typically involved firearms (43.1%) or sharp instruments (40.5%) and occurred in the street (42.1%) or a house (26.2%). Arguments (32.8%) were the most common triggers, followed by revenge (11.3%), robbery (10.8%) and vigilantism (6.2%). Preliminary typological analyses identified three categories of adolescent homicide: (1) male victims killed by strangers during a crime-related event; (2) male victims killed by an acquaintance during an argument; and (3) female victims. The findings call for multiple strategies for combating adolescent homicides.
Commuting road traffic accidents in Croatia
Authors: Kolcic I , Jovic A V , Rodin U , Bilos I Brkic , Antoljak N , Polasek O
Published: March 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors associated with commuting road traffic accidents (RTA) in Croatia. A total of 1138 persons hospitalised for various accidents were surveyed in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 23 hospitals from all parts of Croatia during March–May 2008. The questionnaire encompassed personal data, socioeconomic status, lifestyle determinants and health status prior to accident. This was supplemented with circumstances for RTA: time and place of the accident, mode of transportation, traffic role, accident situation, road and light condition. Data were coded according to NOMESCO classification system. χ2Test was used in the analysis. A total of 283 were injured in RTA. Almost a half (N=118, 42.6%) were injured while commuting. We did not detect any difference between commuters and other RTA victims in terms of age group, gender, employment class, accident situation or type of vehicle. Significant difference in road track conditions was detected, with more accidents occurring in unfavourable road conditions among non-commuting RTA victims (p<0.001). Also, commuting accidents were more common during daytime (p=0.003). Most of commuting accidents were reported on Thursdays and Saturdays, without significant difference between commuting and non-commuting RTAs. These results describe a general pattern of commuting RTAs in Croatia, enabling the development of a framework for future studies. The framework would determine priorities for work-related road safety management, as well as develop policies and interventions aiming to reduce RTAs and their consequences.
The solution of waijo or teenager quarrelling and fighting problem
Authors: Namprasert A
Published: March 2011

Background

The word Waijo is a slang in Thai for teenager who tends to be a hooligan. They always act out violently and impetuous. They often attack other group by using illegal weapon or fighting especially in the community entertainment fair. Most of this case has been caused by drinking alcohol or having addictive substance. The statistic of this serious case tends to be increase every day.

Methodology

This misbehaviour teenagers needs to be improved exactly. Bringing the group to be the community volunteer is the way to solve this problem. They first need to be adjusted their behaviour by using soldier method, then reminding them the danger of drug addict and teaching them about basic law in their daily life. And let them visit the hospital or the jail to share idea with the victim of violence or drug addict patients. These can build up the awareness of being legal people. Moreover, gathering them to be the volunteer network to prevent their own community is the main way to solve the problem. Most of them are accepted to be the youth leader to expand their new experience to the next group of violent teenagers. And this can be the strong network of young generation in community.

Result

The hooligan role in community is reduced rapidly. Now, there are 198 volunteer teenagers who take action in community as the traffic policeman, school or community guard and so on. And there are also 212 volunteer club members in school.

Conclusion

Now, Waijo teenagers who used to be harmful and has been looked down on by people around can turn to be new one by using behaviour adjustment process from the older.
Toys in the upper aerodigestive tract: new evidence on their risk as emerging from the ESFBI study
Authors: Foltran F , Berchialla P , Gregori D , Pitkranta A , Slapak I , Jakubkov J , Bellussi L , Passali D
Published: March 2011

Rationale and aim

Foreign body (FB) inhalation/aspiration or ingestion are relatively common events in young children and, despite many efforts made in several countries to reach acceptable safety levels for products devoted to children, small toys or toy parts are frequently mentioned among risky FBs. The aim of the present study is to characterise the risk of complications and prolonged hospitalisation due to toys inhalation/aspiration or ingestion according to age and gender of patients, FB characteristics and FB location, circumstances of the accident, as emerging from the ESFBI study.

Methods

A retrospective study in major hospitals of 19 European countries was realised on children aged 0–14 having inhaled/aspired or ingested a toy, with regard to the characteristics of the child and the FB (shape volume consistency), the FB location the hospitalisation's details and the occurrence of complications.

Results

In the years 2000–2003 a total of 2094 FB injuries occurred in children aged 0–14 years. Among them 121 (5.8%) were due to toys (mainly parts of toys) and 95 (4.5%) occurred in the lower/upper aero-digestive tract. 58 children needed hospitalisation. The first determinant of a damage requiring hospitalisation is the rigid consistence of the object. Almost 27% of toys related injuries happened under adults supervision.

Conclusions

Despite the adoption of preventive strategies, including products modification by manufacturers, has resulted in a decrease of children's mortality for chocking in the last decades, our results seem to testify that preventive strategies imposing a regulation of industrial production, even if fundamental, are not sufficient and need to be integrated with other preventive intervention addressed to improve parents ability to be conscious of FB injuries and attentive towards a proper surveillance of children.
The development and implementation of mandatory motorcycle helmet legislation in Vietnam
Authors: Passmore J , Nam N Phuong , Huong N Lan , Ha N Trong
Published: March 2011

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in Vietnam with 11 243 deaths and 7771 serious injuries on the roads in 2008, of which an estimated 60% of deaths occurred in motorcycle riders and passengers.

Motorcycles represent 95% of Vietnam's 27 million registered vehicles. In recognition of this problem, Vietnam has had partial motorcycle helmet legislation since 1995, however for a variety of reasons, implementation and enforcement have been limited.

On 29 June 2007, Vietnam introduced the first universal mandatory helmet law. Taking effect on 15 December 2007, this legislation covered all riders and passengers on all roads. Penalties were increased tenfold and cohorts of police were mobilised for enforcement.

Despite past barriers to enforcement, prioritisation within traffic police resulted in 680 000 infringements being issued for non-wearing in 2008. In selected provinces, helmet wearing increased significantly in the first 6 months of the helmet law. In Danang, for example, increasing from 27% to 99%. Preliminary data from 20 hospitals indicated that the risk of head injuries and deaths decreased by 16% and 18%, respectively; in the 3 months after the helmet law was introduced.

Vietnam has a long history of limited effectiveness in helmet legislation. However, through political leadership, advance public education and stringent enforcement from the day the legislation took effect, reductions in head injuries and deaths are evident.

Continual monitoring the implementation of the legislation has identified loopholes detrimental to the effectiveness of the law which have subsequently either have been or are being addressed.
The co-ordination for emergency medical service system in rural communities: a case study of Local Administrative Organisation, Muang district, Khon Kaen Province
Authors: Piyawatchwela T
Published: March 2011

Present paper is the study of the Emergency Medical Service System (EMSS) by the Local Administrative Organisation in Muang District, Khon Kaen province. The study aims to find the guideline for co-ordinating EMSS of Local Administration Organisation at subdistrict level in Khon Kaen. Using a qualitative approach, the data came from two sample groups, the administrator sample and executor sample involved in EMSS at local level, with a comparison between the maximum and minimum of operating results in 2008. This study emphasises four types of coordination: leadership, organisation management, human resources development and communication. The data collection was done by in depth interview, and analysed by content analysis. Study results of coordination guideline for EMSS at subdistrict level show that, in the local administrative organisation with highest level of emergency medical services, the leader plays an important role in coordinating at different levels: a policy coordination in which the leader acknowledges his participation in policy implementation and practice; an inter-organisation coordination in which the leader is able to detect obstacles and point out the best practice or weaknesses in each organisation in order to be well prepared in managing subdistrict EMSS efficiently; and an intraorganisation coordination by which organisation structure, work strategies, clear mission assignments are properly determined to serve the budget plan. In addition, proposing regulations meant to encourage teamwork also has a big impact on EMSS outcome. This study suggests that, for well coordination guidelines, an Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand should coordinate a national policy towards a project called One Tambon One Rescue Team, supported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM), Ministry of Interior Thailand. The DPM is responsible for controlling and monitoring all Local Administrative Organisations in the country, supporting and distributing sufficient budget from the central to local level, and continually promoting and training local leaders or administrators who are politically appointed or government official to understand EMSS, as well as monitoring and evaluating the officers in order to motivate and encourage them to work.
Design of safe consumer product based on children behaviour model constructed from behaviour observation: case study of playground equipment
Authors: Nishida Y , Motomura Y , Kitamura K , Yamanaka T
Published: March 2011

This study presents behaviour-model-based product design as a new approach to safe product design for children. Ubiquitous sensing technology and statistical modelling technology allows us to quantitatively observe and record children behaviour and thus acquire children behaviour model from the large-scale sensory data. This study proposes a system for modelling children behaviour and designing consumer product based on the developed behaviour model. The proposed system consists of a wearable sensor for spatially and temporally measuring children behaviour in an everyday setting together with Bayesian network modelling technology to acquire a children behaviour model. We consider this system from both the theoretical and practical viewpoints. The theoretical framework describes a behavioural model in terms of spatial statistics. The practical aspect of this paper is concerned with a case study in which the proposed system is used to create a new type of playground equipment that is safer for children, in order to demonstrate the practical effectiveness of the system. In this case study, we conducted in situ measurement of 47 children playing with equipment by a wireless wearable location – electromyography sensor that the authors developed in cooperation with a kindergarten. A model on children's climbing behaviour was created from the measured data. By cooperating with a playground equipment maker, a new climbing wall type of equipment was developed and the developed equipment was installed at a kindergarten. This study also evaluates the performance of the model statistically by observing children playing with the developed equipment using cameras for over 1 year.
Qualitative insights into patients experiences of injury: the burden of injury
Authors: Sleney J , Christie N
Published: March 2011

The UK Burden of Injury Study was a major study that aimed to understand the impacts of unintentional injury on people. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used. This paper explores the patients experience of injury, its impact on their lives from a qualitative perspective.

In-depth interviews were carried out among 89 participants of different ages, genders and employment status who had suffered from a variety of different injuries across different settings, presenting to several A&E departments.

Over half of the participants experienced some emotional impact from their injury. Many participants, often older, experienced some loss of confidence as a result of their injury. Adequate, timely information was an important concern for participants during their care. Financial and employment issues had a greater impact on those participants that were self employed. Support from friends, family and neighbours were regarded by participants as extremely important especially during the first few weeks/months after leaving hospital.

The research confirms the importance of social support for facilitating recovery from injury. The role of information seems very important to patients throughout the process of treatment, discharge and rehabilitation. For some patients it was clear that their injury could lead to mental health problems when the injury had been life changing this has implications for the support of people after discharge. This research also affirms the importance of injury prevention to avoid these major impacts on people's lives.
Progress in preventing injuries: an online inventory of national policies
Authors: Mitis F , Sethi D , Racioppi F
Published: March 2011

Introduction

As part of a 3-year collaborative project between WHO and the European Commission on progress achieved by Member States in implementing resolution EUR/RC55/R9 and the European Council Recommendation on the prevention of injuries, an inventory of national policies has been compiled by WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Methods and results

A web-based database was created using national policies for injury and violence prevention using an internet search in English or German. This was supplemented with a questionnaire survey completed by health ministry focal persons for injury and violence prevention. 97 policies from 30 countries were uploaded on the internet in 2008. These have been supplemented further in 2009 when an additional 72 national policies were identified. A content analysis of policies is being carried out to identify factors thought to be conducive to policy development and implementation. The documents in the inventory reflect policy initiatives undertaken at national level by different sectors such as health, justice, interior, social affairs and transport. Information can be viewed and searched on a country basis or as part of a regional overview and can be searched by type of injury or violence, target group and lead sector.

Conclusions

This inventory of national policies for injury and violence prevention is a resource for policy-makers and practitioners interested in seeking more information. It represents a user-friendly system that can be used as a baseline to map future progress, to advocate for greater commitment and action, and to facilitate the sharing of information.
Injury prevention in Swedish agriculture
Authors: Lundqvist P , Alwall C
Published: March 2011

The aim of a national programme on injury prevention in Swedish agriculture is to reduce the number of injuries by 50%.

During 2008–2009 there has been a planning phase. The concept is face to face interaction between educated supervisors (mainly farmers) in order to increase knowledge as well as changing attitudes and behaviours in relation to risks and injury prevention. They will work with concepts: (1) a three step focus group concept including development of action plans for each farm and farm family, (2) individual visits by supervisors on farms for interaction and action plan development and follow-ups, (3) farm walks with groups of farmers. All concepts will give the farmer/farm family support for identifying his/her own risks and ways of preventing injuries. The goal is to give the farm family motivation to handle their problems by themselves as an integrated part of farming. Special focus is given to children and senior farmers (>65 years).

Almost 150 persons have been educated as supervisors. They have been given facts on injuries and injury prevention, but the focus was training of a pedagogic method called future workshop both during the course and as a working tool for them during their meeting with farmers. The mission as supervisors started in the end of 2009 and will be evaluated until the end of 2013. The goal is to reduce the injuries by 50% and the vision is to reduce the fatal injuries by 100%.
Surveillance of poison ingestion cases at Kimberley Complex Hospital, Northern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Paulsen R , Swart D , Van der Bergh E
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Internationally, poisonings are a major public health challenge. While accurate figures for intentional poisonings are limited, it is estimated that 350 000 people died from unintentional poisonings globally in 2002 (WHO, 2004). The vast majority of these fatal injuries occurred in low- and middle-income countries. In 2006, the Paraffin Safety Association of Southern Africa developed an injury surveillance system monitoring household energy-related burns and ingestions in 14 healthcare institutions across South Africa.

Aim

To study the injury surveillance data collected at Kimberley Complex Hospital with regard to the ingestion of poisons.

Methods

The data were collected at Kimberley Complex Hospital between November 2007 and December 2009 by reviewing records in the hospitals social work department.

Results

Of the total 432 energy-related injuries recorded, 188 ingestion injuries were observed. The data revealed that older adolescents (23%) and young adults (44%) between 20 and 34 years were more affected by ingestions. Females (69%) were also disproportionately more affected than males. The most commonly ingested poison was medication (60%), paraffin/kerosene (29%) and detergent (5%). Interestingly, 45% of patients reported experiencing some form of emotional distress at the time of the incident. The vast majority of ingestion injuries recorded at this institution was self-inflicted (96%).

Conclusion

A high number of patients at Kimberley Complex Hospital are presenting with self-inflicted poison ingestions associated with emotional distress or relationship problems. There is an urgent need to understand the psychosocial determinants of self-inflicted poisoning so that effective interventions are developed.
Surveillance of poison ingestion cases at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, Durban, South Africa
Authors: Paulsen R , Swart D
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Internationally, poisonings are a major public health challenge. While accurate figures for intentional poisonings are limited, it is estimated that 350 000 people died from unintentional poisonings globally in 2002 (WHO, 2004). The majority of these fatal injuries occurred in low- and middle-income countries. In 2006, the Paraffin Safety Association of Southern Africa developed an injury surveillance system monitoring household energy-related injuries in 14 healthcare institutions across South Africa.

Aim

To study the injury surveillance data collected at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital with regard to the ingestion of poisons.

Methods

The data were collected at the hospital between May 2006 and December 2009 by two volunteer community health workers interviewing patients and reviewing records.

Results

Of the total 1480 energy-related injuries; 351 injuries related to poisoning. The data revealed that 93% of patients seeking treatment for poisoning were children younger than 10 years old. Alarmingly, babies between 1 and 2 years accounted for 55% of the total of those treated for poisoning. Gender differences were slight (females 46%; males 54%). The most commonly ingested poison was paraffin/kerosene (58%). Nearly all ingestions occurred in the home (98%) while the patient was playing (61%). In most cases the outcome of the hospital visit concluded with the patient being treated and discharged.

Conclusion

The majority of patients treated for poisoning were babies and young children. The implementation of targeted interventions including health education and use of safe paraffin packaging in the home is crucial for decreasing the incidence of these preventable injuries.
Are we using the right dual task tests to detect mobility problems? Perspectives from older people
Authors: Muhaidat J , Skelton D A , Kerr A , Ballinger C , Evans J J
Published: March 2011

Background and Aims

Dual tasking is a risk factor for falls.1. The aim was to investigate if dual task (DT) laboratory tests use task combinations that community-dwelling older adults perceive as difficult and balance threatening.

Method

Two gender-specific focus groups were used. A convenience sample of six males (79.337.45 years) and nine females (74.893.33 years) took part. 80% fallen at least once. The participants were asked to generate DT examples, rank these in difficulty and then give examples of DT situations that might cause falls. These were then compared to the DT tests used in the literature.

Results

There seemed to be a gap between what older people perceive as difficult and the DT tests used to assess performance. Both genders found stairs negotiation accompanied by a manual task (ie, carrying groceries) fall inducing. However, stairs have not been used in the literature to assess DT performance. The Stop Walking When Talking (SWWT) test can classify a person at risk of falling.2 The males mentioned that rather than stop walking they adapt and slow down. All participants perceived walking and avoiding moving obstacles (ie, crowds, dogs) as difficult supporting the growing use of functionally relevant DTs.3

Conclusion

DT tests should be more functionally relevant to older people's activities.

Funding

The University of Jordan. Data collection-Fiona Cowan.
Integrating IPV and HIV prevention into hospital services in Thailand
Authors: Grisurapong S
Published: March 2011

This project aimed to integrating program of intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV prevention into hospital services by first identification of the interrelation between IPV and HIV which focusing on sexual relationship power in terms of ability to negotiate for safe sex and condom use.

Data had been collected from two women groups: victims of violence (86 cases) and HIV positive (205 cases) and two control groups: general women (314 cases) and pregnant women (300 cases) in a selected province in the East of Thailand.

An interview had been conducted to obtain data on socioeconomic & demographic characteristics, physical and sexual violence experience, sexual relationship power & sexual risk behaviour and attitude towards gender role of respondents. The questionnaire of WHOs project on multi-country study of violence against women and Sexual Relationship Power Scale developed by Pulerwitz (2000) had been employed as a guideline for interviews.

The results revealed that being victims of violence was significantly related to less asking partners to use condoms & being refusal by partners to use, having forced first sexual intercourse, extramarital sex and experience of sexually transmitted disease infection compared to control groups. Less sexual relationship power were the key factors to negotiate for sexual relationship and condom use.

These findings had been used to develop an IPV screening program in the pilot hospital and a cross-training for hospital staffs dealing with IPV and HIV. This initiative can prevent women victims of violence from HIV infection and alleviate HIV positive women from IPV due to their HIV status.
Car safety restraint use among children in Catalonia. What can be done from the Health sector?
Authors: Suelves J M , Martinez-Beneyto V , Medina A , Cabezas C , Plasencia A , Brugulat P , Tresserras R
Published: March 2011

In Catalonia (Spain), injuries due to motor vehicle crashes caused 383 hospital admissions among children aged 0–14 in 2007. The use of appropriate safety restraints is compulsory for all automobile occupants according to Spanish regulations, as it may reduce the number and severity of these injuries. According to the Catalan Health Survey carried out in 2006, at least 88.8% of parents or caregivers of children aged 0–14 who travelled by car in the previous year reported that an appropriate safety restraint was always used. Variables related to the use of safety restraints, included children age (5- to 9-year-olds used restraints less often than other age groups), family socioeconomic level, and educational level of mothers. To increase the use of car safety restraints among children and adolescents, the Catalan road safety administration develops media campaigns and law enforcement activities. Health professionals and administrations must also play a complementary role in this field giving advice about the selection of appropriate restraints and managing children resistance to use them. The recent development and implementation of safety restraint promotion activities in Catalonia is shown in this presentation, including the release of a media campaign addressed to young children, and the dissemination of educational materials addressed to families in the context of paediatric health education activities.
Bicycle-related head injury rate in Canada over the past 10 years
Authors: Middaugh-Bonney T , Pike I , Brussoni M , Piedt S , Macpherson A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Bicycle use is common among Canadian children. Legislation to promote bicycle helmet use varies by province and previous publications examining the association between legislation and head injuries are now outdated due to changes in legislation status over time.

Purpose

To determine bicycle-related injury rates (head and other injuries) in Canada over the past 10 years using hospitalisation data as well to compare those provinces with and without legislation.

Methods

Childhood bicycle related injuries were extracted from the Canadian Institute for Health Information hospital admissions database. Injury rates were calculated for each province for children aged 5–19 using 2001 census data.

Results

During the 10 years there were 23 685 hospital admissions due to bicycle-related injuries among Canadian children age 5–19 (76% men and 24% women). A total of 22% of the children sustained a head injury while 78% had other injuries due to a bicycle incident. 22% of men and 21% of women incurred a head injury. The injury rate varied by age group and by provincial legislation status. In general the rate of head injuries is declining, but this is not consistent across the country, nor is it attributable to legislation as some provinces with legislation experienced a decline while others did not.

Conclusion

Although bicycle-related injuries are generally declining, this decline is not consistent, nor is it clearly associated with helmet laws.
Risk analysis platform for railway traffic safety
Authors: Schnieder E , Slovak R , Wegele S
Published: March 2011

The risk analysis platform at the Federal Office of Transport in Switzerland contains about 50 safety topics assigned to over 300 railway lines. Occurrence rates and damages have been estimated by experts during the last 5 years. In cooperation with the institute for traffic safety and automation engineering a prototype for risk estimations is currently under development. The main difference to the former approach is the usage of physical models for prediction of accidents and usage of history information's for estimation of the damage size. For some topics (eg, avalanches, ignoring of shunting signals) a Monte-Carlo-Simulation is used to estimate occurrence rates and accident parameter, for example, collision speed, number of involved passengers, danger goods etc. The main purpose of the prototype is the validation of the risk estimation method for the entire Switzerland. In the article we will show three representative examples of implemented risk topics including risk models. The simulation results basing on a subnetwork of 90 km will be presented.
Translating research to practice: effective strategies to reduce motor vehicle injuries among American Indian tribes
Authors: Boyd R , Dellinger A M
Published: March 2011

Background

American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest motor vehicle-related death rates of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Injury Center worked with four tribes to reduce the toll of motor vehicle injuries in their communities: the Tohono O'odham Nation (TO), the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SC), the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WM) and the Ho-Chunk Nation (HC).

Objectives

To translate known effective strategies to reduce motor vehicle-related injuries among members of Tribal communities.

Methods

Effective strategies were selected from The Guide to Community Preventive Services systematic reviews. Tribes tailored, implemented, and evaluated strategies to reduce alcohol-impaired driving, increase occupant restraint, and increase child safety seat use. Each Tribe included policy, media and awareness activities in their programs.

Results

The Tribal programs have reduced alcohol-impaired driving, strengthened tribal laws, and increased occupant restraint use. As sovereign nations, the TO and the SC passed Primary enforcement seat belt laws and lowered the legal limit for alcohol to 0.08 BAC while driving. The TO has increased their seatbelt use by 73%. The SC has increased DUI arrests by 52%, and decreased crashes by 29%. The WM has increased driver seat belt use from 13% to 54%, and the HC has increased seat belt use 38% for drivers and 94% for passengers.

Conclusions

These multi-component programs have produced a model for use in other Tribes. Lessons learnt from these programs will allow for improved implementation as strategies are disseminated to other American Indian communities.
Epidemiology of traffic injuries and motor vehicles utilisation in Tehran: a population-based study
Authors: Saadat S , Soori H
Published: March 2011

Iran has one of the greatest death rates from road traffic injuries (RTIs). There is no national injury surveillance in Iran and there is uncertainty on measures of RTIs.

We studied the annual incidence of RTIs, the incidence of RTIs per 1000 vehicles and utilisation of vehicles in Tehran.

Methods

In this population-based study, 2488 households were randomly selected for interview using the registry of residential addresses. They were asked to report any RTIs in their household during the past year.

Results

9100 inhabitants were included. There were 119 RTI (38.7% pedestrians, 46.2% motorcycler and 15.1% car occupants) and three deaths in the survey sample. The annual incidence of all RTIs for 100 000 population was 1310 (1080–1560) and that of fatal traffic injuries was 32.97 (6.8–96.3).

Motorcycles were involved in 41.3% of RTIs that occurred for pedestrians. 19.7% of the households had motorcycle; 2.4% belonged to women. Women were mostly rode as passengers rather than driving a motorcycle. The annual incidence of collision RTI for 1000 motorcycle was 95. Moreover, 32.5% of the motorcycle riders had experienced non-collision transport accident (ie, fall).

58.5% of the households owned a car; 12.3% belonged to women.

The annual incidence of car occupant RTI per 1000 car was 10.

Conclusion

Although the number of motorcycles is one third of cars, they are involved in a considerable proportion of RTIs; there is need for effective safety regulations to control this pattern.
Estimates of the gross domestic product loss due to violence in Uganda
Authors: Nakitto M , Wandera B , Cannoodt L , Kiwanuka N , Lett R
Published: March 2011

Introduction

There is lack of information on economic cost of violent related injuries in Uganda. The study estimates both direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of interpersonal and self directed violent injuries.

Methods

Data were collected from four hospitals and two health centres (September 2008 to November 2009) using a standardised form while medico-legal data were collected from Government chemist and Police surgeon. Estimating cost parameters were derived from a WHO Manual. Statistical analyses were done using Stata 10.

Results

Intentional injuries accounted for 20.7% of all injuries. Self-inflicted accounted for 30.3%, while interpersonal 69.7%. Violent injuries were frequent in homes; with causes: stabbing (31.1%) and poisoning (8.5%). Proportion of intentional injuries in homes was significantly higher than of unintentional injuries, 46.9% versus 23.7% (p<0.001). Direct total costs for self-directed injuries were $16 971 while per self-directed injury was $132.6. Indirect total costs for self-directed injuries were $506 443, while per self-directed injury was $3957. Direct medical costs for interpersonal injuries were $44 469, while $155 per interpersonal injury. Indirect costs for interpersonal injuries were $1 519 329, while $5312 per interpersonal injury. Direct costs due to violent injuries accounted for 0.04% of GDP while indirect costs accounted for 5.14% of GDP.

Discussion and Conclusion

Economic cost of violent injuries in Uganda is substantive and could be saved for more pressing priorities if a preventive strategy is implemented.
Factors associated with the adoption of drinking and driving during a zero tolerance period: results from a 6-years study in the GAZEL cohort
Authors: Constant A , Encrenaz G , Lafont S , Chiron M , Lagarde E , Messiah A
Published: March 2011

Background

While dropping Driving While Alcohol-Intoxicated (DWI) might be interpreted as a success of prevention initiatives, its adoption during a zero-tolerance period might jeopardise efforts to improve road safety. The study objectives were as follows: (1) to estimate frequencies of behaviour change regarding DWI between 2001 and 2007; and (2) to determine which factor changes that had occurred by 2001 were associated with consistent DWI adoption in the subsequent 2004–2007 period.

Method

We conducted a prospective study in a large cohort of French employees and retirees (the GAZEL cohort). A Driving Behaviour and Road Safety (DBRS) questionnaire was administered three times, in 2001, 2004 and 2007.

Results

The population comprised 9309 participants. In 2001, 2171 participants reported DWI while 7138 reported sober driving. More than one drink-driver out of five quitted DWI between 2001 and 2007 (n=462), while 8.2% of safe drivers adopted this behaviour (n=511). When adjusted for potential confounders, the risk of adopting DWI was associated with: increased alcohol consumption, increased number of close friend, decreased number of relatives and decreased attitudes in favour of enforcement/regulations.

Discussion

The recent crackdown on road violations taken by French government in 2002 has deterred a substantial part of offenders to continue DWI, but this success was compromised by the occurrence of new drink drivers. Preventive strategies should aim at modifying factors that facilitate DWI adoption, in particular increased alcohol consumption and low acceptance of law enforcement.
Analysis of pedestrian behaviour and risk while crossing road at signalised intersection of Delhi, India: before and after construction of flyover
Authors: Khatoon M , Minhas M S , Tiwari G , Chatterjee N
Published: March 2011

Pedestrians on Delhi roads are often exposed to large risks. This is because the basic needs of pedestrians are not recognised as part of the urban transport infrastructure improvement projects in Delhi. Rather, an ever increasing number of cars and two wheelers, the construction of large numbers of flyovers/grade separators to facilitate signal free movement for motorised vehicles expose pedestrian at a greater risk. This paper describes analysis of pedestrian behaviour at a signalised intersection before and after construction of a grade separator. It also quantifies the risk-taking behaviour of pedestrians while crossing the roads by developing a Logistic model. The model assumes that the probability of road crossing by pedestrians depends not only on the gap size (in seconds) between pedestrian and conflicting vehicles, but also on other parameters like gender, age, type of pedestrians (alone or in groups) waiting time, speed and type of incoming vehicles, intersection geometry and signal cycle time. The model was fitted on the data collected at the AIIMS intersection in Delhi before and after the construction of a grade separator there. The correlation between waiting times and gaps accepted by pedestrians shows that people accept smaller gap size if they wait long, that is, after certain time period of waiting, people just become impatient and do not like to wait for a large gap size. The analysis shows that the risk to pedestrians has increased after the construction of the grade separator and they are forced to take higher risk.