bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demography of patients presenting to the provincial Otorhinolaryngology unit following assault over Head and neck in North Central Sri Lanka
Authors: Zaffarullah M W , Karunaratne H M A H
Published: March 2011

The purpose of the study was to describe the injury pattern of assault over head and neck and to identify the factors associated with those assaults. Prospective Study on 144 patients presenting to ENT ward following assault over Head and neck for a period of 5 months. Data collected using interviewer administered questionnaires, clinical examination and investigation findings. The mean age of the victims was 29.25 years and 63.9 % were males. The commonest area that was assaulted were ears (80.6%), followed by nose (22%), scalp (11%), cheeks (8.3%), eyes (5.6%), neck (5.6%) 83.3% of victims were assaulted with hand, 16.7% with a blunt object and 2.8% with a sharp object. 94.4 % of the assailants were males, 94.4 % were known to the victim, 86.1% were single assailants and 60% were under the influence of alcohol. Personal disputes were the cause in 47.2% of assaults, followed by Domestic violence (25%) and occupation related assaults (25%). 30.6% of the study population refused any legal action against the assailants. 22.2% f the victims had history of previous assaults.

Conclusion

Assailants had male preponderance and were known to victim in most cases. Ears were the most affected. Major cause for assault was personal disputes. Closer liaison with police, social services and general practitioners will help prevent further attacks.
Youth human rights: the role of public health interventions to contribute with young person safety
Authors: Crespin E
Published: March 2011

Currently there is no state- sponsored programme in El Salvador for the physical and psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration of those who are left with chronic injuries as a consequence of gun violence. In mid-2006 the HD Centre commissioned an exploratory study interviewing patients and staff members at the Instituto Salvadoreo de Rehabilitacion de Invalidos (ISRI, Institute fo the Rehabilitation of the Disabled). This informal study provided interesting snapshot of the situation of survivors of gun violence. About 50% of ISRIs total patient intake consist of people with firearm related injuries. Most of them are 14–25 years old youngsters. Young person safety, mental health, right of life are part of fundamental human rights. Youth violence is one of the highest in the region. Public Health are needed to ensure youth well being, mental health and human rights for youngsters in El Salvador.

Objective

To explore perception of Youth about their rights to live and grow in a safety environment free of gun violence, there is going to be explored the links between gun violence and well being as human right, the role of health workers to identify risk factors and public health interventions for the young person safety.

Methods

There is going to be developed 4 focus groups of youngsters between 14 and 25 years old, one of them integrated of women, from rural and urban area in order to explore through dynamics their perception about human rights, health and safety connections.

Instruments Questionnaire

The variables: young person safety, youth human rights, gun violence, risks factors and protective factors.

Results

It is expected to collect information from four different regions in El Salvador as participants into the focal groups.

Conclusions

Salvadoran youngsters perceived insecurity as one of their fundamental human rights being neglected in the country and there is a role to play of health workers through public health interventions improving surveillance of risks factors, protective factors, mental health and integral youth development programmes
Injury prevention in Islamic Republic of Iran – role of health sector
Authors: Haddadi M , Masoumi G
Published: March 2011

Injuries are one of the most important challenges in public health with great socioeconomic burden especially in developing countries. In Islamic Republic of Iran, road traffic injuries are known as the first cause of burden and the second cause of death in all age groups. According to the 92 nd article of fourth national socio-economic and cultural developmental law, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education is responsible for immediate and free of charge medical coverage for road traffic victims referred to the hospitals and healthcare facilities. This law passed 2005. Financial resources for road traffic victims services are provided from vehicle insurance fees. It means that 10% of the compulsory third party insurance premiums are transferred to the ministry of health to compensate the costs related to medical care of the injured patients. Thus, road traffic injuries are no longer a cause of catastrophic medical care cost in our country. This might be a step towards accounting the social determinants of health because after passing this law, although the number of road traffic hospital admitted injured increased (from 550 714 to 718 000) but the number of road traffic death increased (from 22 918 to 23 362). This shows the role of health sector regarding better health equity and improved access.
Economics of risky driving: cross-sectional analysis of emergency department patients with high-risk behaviours
Authors: Sommers B , Fargo J , Shope J , Sommers M
Published: March 2011

The concept of risky driving is not well articulated, nor is the societal burden imposed by risky driving behaviours. These behaviours lead to significant injury and mortality in the US and have application to global populations.

Aims

We estimated the societal cost burden associated with risky driving, drinking-driving and substance use, among young adults exhibiting both high-risk driving behaviour and problem drinking.

Methods

A sample of Emergency Department patients aged 18–44, who screened positive for risky driving and problem drinking (n=313), were surveyed regarding driving behaviours, injuries, healthcare utilisation, legal problems and traffic crashes over the previous year. These self-reported data, supplemented by police crash reports, were used to estimate annual societal costs. Multivariate regressions were used to detect associations between costs and risky driving, drinking-driving and substance use.

Results

Societal costs related to driving behaviour and substance use averaged $23 340 per person, annually. Risky driving was consistently associated with higher criminal justice costs and total costs in univariate and multivariate models. Substance use was associated with increased injury, crash, and healthcare costs. Drinking-driving was not associated with increased costs in multivariate models. Compared to average drivers, the riskiest drivers imposed increased legal costs of $700 and increased total societal costs of $2450, annually.

Conclusions

Risky-driving imposes significant costs on society, even controlling for substance use and drinking-driving behaviour. Healthcare and other interventions to reduce risky-driving are likely to be both life-saving and cost-saving to society.
Disaster management
Authors: Haddadi M , Hasani S A , Masoumi G
Published: March 2011

Introduction

With regard to disaster proneness of Islamic Republic of Iran, considering the capacity of all stakeholders may lead to correct use of resources and facilities and decrease or control the destructive effects in disaster affected areas.

Methods

In a library based review we found out, saving life is the most important factor in health management and that the disaster management must focus on three phases.

Pre-event

Management of this phase includes situational analysis (structural and non-structural), surveillance, adapting standards, communication, information and warning systems, public education and organising local or country wide manoeuvres for testing the response mechanisms.

Event

Includes triage, reinforcement of rescue and relief capacities, evacuation, financial and human supports in the community and collaboration with other stakeholders such as the Ministry of Interior and other subcommittees, local or collaborating health facilities in the field or nearby, medical and residential centres, mass media and if indicated, field hospitals also expert human resources are important for medical management in this phase.

Post-event

It's the longest phase includes referring survivors to rehabilitation centres, evaluating mental and social needs of them and assist communication between the remainders and social support centres and assessing the response programs.

Discussion

Public awareness by capacity building is necessary for decreasing destructive outcomes in stressful situations. Disaster prevention, mitigation & preparedness are more important than response in achieving the goals and objectives of vulnerability reduction. Disaster response alone is not sufficient as it yields only temporary results at a very high cost.
Aligning the organisation to effectively manage risk
Authors: Furst P G
Published: March 2011

The realities of globalisation and associated business risks have taken center-stage and innovative firms have to address this to stay competitive. All organisational systems and procedures harbour risk, which includes safety. Therefore the traditional approaches to the management of safety is not good enough any more.

One way to achieve this is through an integrated operational risk management approach which is a methodology of identifying and eliminating risk from the construction process. The key to its success is its embedment into the operations of the contractor, as well as the project delivery process. Risk identification, assessment and management have an important role to play in the construction business, which is inherently high risk. Safety folks traditionally deal with hazard rather than assess risk. This to helps foster the separation and isolation of safety from operations.

Innovative business thinking requires the linkage of all the business operations, and an integration and alignment of all systems, processes and procedures within the business. Safety can only, become truly effective if it is integrated into the fabric of the management systems utilised within the organisation. In this session we will explore ways that risk assessment and safety operations can be integrated into the overall management systems of the organisation, as well as the project delivery process, thereby improving quality and efficiency, cutting costs as well as improving profits.
Comparison of different models to assess the medical costs of injury
Authors: Macey S , Lyons R A , Phillips C , Brophy S
Published: March 2011

Aim

To compare different models of excess health service utilisation (HSU) to produce enhanced estimates of the short and medium term direct medical costs of injuries.

Method

A retrospective and prospective anonymised electronic population cohort, encompassing all residents of Swansea, Wales, UK (n = 227 100). The Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) system is being used to anonymously track injured and uninjured individuals through multiple healthcare databases over a 3 year period. Excess HSU within emergency department, inpatient and outpatient sectors will be determined using two different models. In one the HSU postinjury will be counted and subsequently adjusted for potential confounders, including age, gender, deprivation status, preinjury healthcare utilisation, co-morbidities and access to/distance from hospital, using negative binomial regressions. In the other model the number of healthcare contacts observed during the follow-up period will be compared with the number expected to have occurred, based on pre injury healthcare contacts, to calculate standardised utilisation ratios. In both models general practice and inpatient data will be used to identify co-morbidities.

Results

Analysis is ongoing and results will be presented at the conference.

Conclusion

This study presents an enhanced approach to determining the extent of excess HSU and medical costs following injury, and will contribute to improved measurement of the burden of injury.
Reporting of non-fatal occupational injuries in the United States, 1998–2007
Authors: Jackson L L
Published: March 2011

In 2008, the US Congress reported on the Hidden Tragedy the underreporting of occupational injuries. Two national surveillance systems capture data on nonfatal occupational injuries in the USA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collects data on nonfatal occupational injuries treated in emergency departments (ED) by using indirect identification of work-relatedness by workers at the time of treatment. The Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) collects similar nonfatal injury data but as reported by private industry employers. The ED data suggest that from 1998 to 2007 occupational injuries occurred at a relatively constant level (about 3.4 million/year and a rate of about 3 injuries/100 full-time workers) among workers in all industries. In contrast, the employer-based reporting for private industry suggests that there was a marked decline in injuries for the 10 year period (from 5.9 million at a rate of 6.7/100 full-time workers in 1998 to 4.0 million at a rate of 4.2/100 full-time workers in 2007). The complexities of the case definitions, sample designs and specific worker populations included, make comparing the two systems difficult. However, the ED worker-based reporting data suggest that the apparent decrease in injuries over the 10 year period indicated by employer based reporting may have been significantly influenced by increases in underreporting during recent years. Studies are currently underway by NIOSH and BLS to examine incentives and disincentives to reporting by workers and employers.
Patterns of injury and violence in Yaound Cameroon: an analysis of hospital data
Authors: Juillard C , Mballa G A E , Nyemb N , Stevens K A , Hyder A A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The burden of injuries are quickly becoming a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, where reports on the epidemiology of injuries are limited. Reports on the patterns and frequency of injuries from Cameroon are scarce. This study explores the patterns of trauma seen at the emergency ward of the busiest trauma centre in Cameroons capital city.

Methods

Administrative records from 1 January 2007 through 31 December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed for all trauma patients presenting to the emergency ward. Univariate analysis was performed to assess patterns of injuries in terms of mechanism, date, age and gender. Bivariate analysis was utilised to explore potential relationships between demographic variables and mechanism of injury.

Results

A total of 6234 injured people were seen at the Central Hospital of Yaounds emergency ward during the year 2007. Males comprised 71%; the mean age of injured patients was 29 (SD=14.9). Nearly 60% were due to road traffic injury, 46% involving a pedestrian. Intentional injuries were the second most common mechanism, 55% of which involved unarmed assault. Falls victims and male patients were more likely to be admitted (p<0.001).

Discussion

Patterns in terms of age, gender and mechanism are similar to reports from other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The magnitude of cases reported is high for a single institution in an African city the size of Yaound. As the burden of injury is predicted to increase dramatically in sub-Saharan Africa, prevention efforts in Cameroon are strongly warranted.
Addressing increasing robbery incidents on Nigerian highways
Authors: Obiemenyego C , Ojugbana C , Olebunne K , Okonkwo B , Ikediashi I
Published: March 2011

Media and police reports indicate that robbery incidents on the roads of Nigeria are common feature with many deaths and injuries occurring at such scenes. Most of these incidents occur at nights on isolated parts of the roads and sections where the roads are bad.

Objective

This study focuses on robbery incidents arising from bad spots on highways and proffers solutions.

Method

Crime reports of 1 year on robbery activities on Suleja-lambata and Bida-Mokwa, two carriage roads of 284 km were studied. Records were obtained from the police, 100 road users and 50 community members were interviewed.

Findings

32 robbery incidents were recorded in the period of study. 24 occurred at nights with bad road spots accounting for 80% of the incidents. Official total deaths recorded were 12, number of injuries was 48. However, 85% of road users interviewed agreed that injuries were highly under reported by about 200%. The study further revealed that 50% of bad road spots were left unattended for an average of 4 months with weak security no warning signs to road users.

Recommendations

Bad road spots are attractive for robbery activities at nights. Deaths and injuries at such spots are high but very preventable. Retro reflective danger signs should be mounted on bad spots at nights, security should be enhanced, roads should be promptly repaired and drivers properly sensitised on road dangers at nights.
Inhibitory control and children's risk for dog bites
Authors: Davis A L , Schwebel D C , Morrongiello B A , Stewart J , Bell M , Oneal E E
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Approximately 400 000 US children seek medical attention for dog bites annually (CDC, 2008). A dozen die. Inhibitory control, the capacity to plan and suppress inappropriate approach responses under instruction or in novel situations (Rothbartet al, 2001), is linked to broad child injury risk (Schwebel & Plumert, 1999), but is poorly understood as a risk factor for pediatric dog bites.

Method

82 children (mean 4.84 years; SD=0.91, 46% male) were recruited from Birmingham, USA and Guelph, Canada. All lived in homes with 1–3 dogs. Parents completed the inhibitory control scale of the Children's behaviour questionnaire (Rothbartet al, 1994) and items concerning children's history with dogs.

Results

Inhibitory control correlated to parent-report of children's history of almost being bitten by a dog, r=−0.27; uninhibited children were more likely to have almost experienced dog bites. Inhibitory control also related to parent-report of children's negative experiences with dogs that resulted in crying, r=−0.29, (uninhibited children more likely to have had negative incidents); of children playing rough with dogs, r=−0.31 (uninhibited children playing rough with dogs); and of parent concern that children's behaviour will anger their dog, r=−0.25 (parents of uninhibited children more concerned).

Implications

Current dog bite prevention strategies focus on dog control and owner education (eg, leash laws, animal training). These strategies help, but identification of child specific risk factors, such as inhibitory control, could aid development of other dog-bite prevention programs.
The role of alcohol in homicide: a 3 year review
Authors: Mokuolu O S
Published: March 2011

Background

The use of alcohol may produce adverse effects on brain tissues that affect judgement. Such alteration in judgement has therefore made alcohol to serve as an enhancer of homicide, which is now recognised as a cause of premature mortality in Africa. Alcohol increases the likelihood of risk-taking and provocative behaviour by some potential victims; this might in turn lead to violent interactions and homicides. Thus alcohol often plays some role, more commonly in the culprits but occasionally also in the victims. Homicides usually take place between 18:00 and 6:00. Weapons commonly employed in homicide include sharp objects or use of clubs. It may also be the result of fierce fight.

Objectives

To characterise the relationship between alcohol use and homicide victimisation with a view to determine the magnitude of contribution of alcohol use to homicide activities in Nigeria and make recommendations as appropriate for its control.

Method

Library search, Internet search, Police and Hospital records.

Result

Most of all alcohol induced homicide involves people that are known to each other. People within the age group 20–40 are most susceptible due to great interpersonal interaction that may end up in misunderstandings and frustrations and therefore predisposing to causation of felonies, including homicide.

Conclusion

Heightened co-ordination in responses to prevention of alcoholism and homicides can be enhanced by a collective approach. Nobody is left out in this approach, because homicide due to alcoholism is a preventable one. Therefore, if enhanced expertise, network of agencies and individuals collaborate well with one another, violence and injuries can be reduced.
Work-related injury and ill-health among mountaineers in the UK: identifying key factors
Authors: McDermott H , Munir F , St Laurent D
Published: March 2011

Background

Chronic illnesses are recognised as one of the most expensive health problems in industrialised countries. In 2008/2009, an estimated 1.2 million Britons were suffering from an illness they believed was caused or made worse by work. Of these, musculoskeletal disorders and stress were the most common, with those working in some industries more at risk than others. Within the last decade increased levels of participation in adventure activities such as mountaineering has led to an increase in those who lead such activities as a career. The high risk nature of leading adventurous activities may have adverse effects on health, yet very little is known about the cumulative effects of a career in the outdoor industry.

Aims and method

This study aimed to identify the key factors related to the physical and psychological health of those working as Mountain Instructors within the UK. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 mountaineers to gain information on work-related injury and ill-health.

Results

A large number of interviewees reported suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder which was related to work activities and many interviewees felt they had to continue to work even when ill or injured. Examples of work-related issues causing stress were also reported including aggressive or challenging behaviours presented by clients and extended working days.

Conclusion

Those working in the outdoor industry develop a variety of chronic injuries. These data informed the development of a large scale questionnaire study, the findings of which will also be discussed.
Building rural motor vehicle safety capacity through community sports
Authors: Anderson B L , Miller B K , Aitken M E , Daniels D M
Published: March 2011

Introduction/objective

Persons living in rural areas are at great risk of motor vehicle injury, as are children ages 4–7 years when prematurely graduated to seat belts designed for adults. Social marketing, individual decision-making and community engagement models were integrated to increase booster seat use through an accepted sport in rural communities. We report on lessons learnt from a multi-state study in the USA.

Methods

A non-randomised controlled design was used. Intervention strategies included building child passenger safety resources, tailored print media, community presentations and local spokespersons. Restraint was assessed for all children <15 years at the sport setting. Car seats were provided at no cost. Control communities received only brochures. Trained community volunteers assisted staff in conducting pre/post intervention observational surveys.

Results

Twenty rural communities participated. Community members were engaged at every site to increase community access. Study communities with pre-existing child restraint resources were less engaged in planning and implementation than communities with few resources. Participation from parents varied according to buy-in from team coaches. Frequent communication and a personal presence in the study communities were critical factors to participation and interest. Weather and unanticipated events competing for community interests occurred. The project increased capacity and resources for sustained child passenger safety efforts in engaged communities.

Conclusions

The study was successful in generating local support and resources for child restraint. Flexibility and personal connections with local leaders increased volunteer recruitment and community involvement. Efforts are ongoing to sustain community interest.
How do fathers access child safety information?
Authors: Olsen L , Brussoni M , Kruse S
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Injury is the leading cause of death for children over the age of one. Prevention methods such as providing parents with information injury risks and prevention strategies can be an effective way to help change risk behaviour and decrease the chance of an injury event.

Purpose

To gain an understanding on father's behaviours in regard to accessing information on childhood safety.

Method

Interviews for this qualitative study were carried out with fathers of children aged 2–7 years in British Columbia, Canada. Interview questions explored whether fathers were likely to access information on child safety issues; what type of information they were likely to search for; what types of resources they used or would like to use.

Results

In total, 32 fathers were interviewed. Of the fathers that did look for information on child safety, most reported accessing the internet as a main resource for child safety. Many fathers reported issues around trusting sources and accessing quality information over the internet. Other common responses were pamphlets, community centres and consulting health experts.

Conclusion

Fathers use specific portals of information to access information on child safety. In order to ensure that parents are suitably informed on prevention strategies, health professionals need to consider the role and use of the internet, the design of pamphlets and the use of language in the development of materials as well as the development of dissemination strategies.
The sunset of cheap energy: grey skies and silver linings for injury prevention and public health
Authors: Weiss H
Published: March 2011

A predictable and perilous confluence has led to expanding understanding how the impacts of climate change coincide with the acceleration of economic and societal ramifications of increasing costs for fossil fuels, particularly petroleum. The problem is compounded by rising populations, increased world energy demands, disproportionally high energy use by many developed countries and numerous ecological threats. Over the next few years, as human activity compounds problems across multiple environmental domains, the world faces undulating periods of instability and decline in energy and financial markets as well as ongoing threats of regional and international conflicts over dwindling cheap energy and other resources. This presentation explains how increased energy costs in an era of increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions will likely result in major economic and social disruptions falling heavily on the transportation sector, agriculture and vulnerable populations while stressing public health delivery systems. It is meant to spark attention, interest and debate with the hope that it will lead to more quantification and understanding of the manifestation to the injury prevention field while simultaneously posing new injury risks and benefits as limits to growth in a finite world become clearer. As the debate shifts from when, to at what rate the worlds cheap energy resources will decline, safety and injury prevention professionals should be aware of these issues and prepare to react because the more precipitous the rate of cheap energy decline the less time to adapt to the ramifications. Recommendations for research and action are presented.
The blue dog project – The development of a dog bite prevention programme aimed at young children
Authors: De Keuster T , Meints K , Butcher R
Published: March 2011

Dog bite injuries represent a serious health issue. A Belgian study indicated that every year 1% of the population suffers a dog bite requiring medical attention. Children are twice at risk than adults and severe injuries (neck and face) occur most frequently in young children. This age group usually gets bitten in their own home and by a dog that is familiar to them. Following a substantial bite, 55% of children suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. According to research, children initiate most of the dog/child interactions that trigger the bite. There is no evidence to indicate any specific breed prevalence. One strategy is to educate young children, and their parents, to behave more safely with their own dog. The challenge is to find a method that is appropriate and develop it into an effective tool that can be scientifically validated. This was achieved by a team of professionals from multi-disciplines. The blue dog is an interactive CD that young children find fun to use while learning important lessons. Parent/teacher reinforcement is preferable, and a printed parent guide facilitates this. During play, the child is exposed to potential risk situations which involve two choices. The correct choice results in a favourable outcome and the story continues. An incorrect choice produces an unfavourable outcome. The story returns to the original decision point, allowing the child to alter their selection. The presentation will include videos of real life situations and the equivalent sections of the CD which are used to illustrate them.
Dog bite prevention: what children know
Authors: Dixon C A , Mahabee-Gittens E M , Lindsell C J
Published: March 2011

Background

There are 4.5 million annual dog bites in the US; >368 000 are seen in emergency departments (ED). Children ages 5–9 have the highest incidence.

Objectives

To determine child dog bite prevention knowledge.

Methods

Cross-sectional sample of parents and children (5–15 years), presenting to a paediatric ED. Dyads completed knowledge tests developed from Centre for Disease Control dog bite prevention recommendations. Passing score was >70%; logistic and linear regression modelled odds of passing and knowledge scores.

Results

Of 300 children: mean age was 8.7 (3.1 SD), 69% were 5–9 years, and 51% were female. Of parents: 63% had income >$20 000, 57% had education >high school and 51% were white. Dog ownership was 73%; dog bite prevalence was 23%. Over 70% of parents denied child receiving dog bite prevention education; 88% desired it. Mean child knowledge score was 10 (2.5SD). Older children had higher odds of passing (OR:1.15 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.25)), as did children with white parents (OR:1.88 (95% CI 1.17 to 3.02)). Children gained 0.25 score with each year of age and had 0.97 higher scores if they had white parents (p<0.01). No associations were found between knowledge, socioeconomic status, dog ownership or prior dog bite.

Conclusion

Dog bites are preventable child injuries. Results indicate >40% children fail dog bite prevention knowledge testing suggesting universal dog bite prevention education is warranted, with special consideration for populations predicted to have lower dog bite prevention knowledge.
Effectiveness of the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) program in preventing traumatic injuries: a Ten-year analysis
Authors: Banfield J M , Gomez M , Kiss A , Redelmeier D A , Brenneman F
Published: March 2011

Objective

The Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) program is a 1-day injury awareness and prevention program for youth ages 15 and older, with the goal to educate adolescents to recognise their injury risks and make informed choices to reduce them. This study assessed the effectiveness of the P.A.R.T.Y. program in preventing traumatic injuries during a 10 year period.

Methods

P.A.R.T.Y. participants (study) were matched with a group of subjects having the same age, gender, residential area and initial year in database, who did not attend the P.A.R.T.Y. program (control). Data from two different sources were searched to determine the incidence of traumatic injuries in both groups. Statistical comparisons were made for both groups, gender, calendar year and before and after the two, and graduating driver licensing system was implemented, using the, conditional logistic regression analysis with a p<0.05 considered significant.

Results

Of 3905 P.A.R.T.Y. participants, 1281 were successfully randomly matched on the above 4 variables with 1281 controls. The most frequent injury was homicide or injury by other 381/2562 (14.9%). There were fewer traumatic injuries in the study group than in the control group (43.3% vs 47.4%, p=0.02, OR=1.22, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.45). This difference was stronger in females (44.4% vs 49.0%, p=0.04), and before the graduated licensing system was implemented (60.1% vs 67.2%, p=0.04).

Conclusions

The P.A.R.T.Y. program effectively reduced the incidence of traumatic injuries among its participants. This effectiveness was stronger among females, and before the driver licensing system was implemented in the province.
A controlled evaluation of the WHO safe communities model approach to injury prevention: increasing child restraint use in motor vehicles
Authors: Istre G R , Stowe M , McCoy M A , Moore B J , Culica D , Womack K N , Anderson R J
Published: March 2011

Objective

We sought to measure the effectiveness of the WHO Safe Communities Model approach to increase child restraint use in motor vehicles. The effort involved schools, day care centres, neighbourhoods and a local public clinic, with child safety seat classes and a low-cost distribution program.

Methods

Pre (2003)- and post (2005)-intervention observations of restraint use in motor vehicles in the target area and a comparison community, among children 0–8 years of age, compliant with state law, and adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, site, type of vehicle, location, number of children in the vehicle, in a multivariable, multi-level analysis.

Results

Child restraint use in the target area increased among all ages and at all sites (day care centres, grocery stores, schools); the adjusted child restraint use increased by 27.3% points (vs 10.9 in comparison area) and driver seat belt use increased by 15% points (vs 5.2 in comparison area). Multivariable, multi-level analysis showed that the increase in the target area was significantly greater than the comparison area for child restraint use (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.6 to 3.0), as well as for driver seat belt use, children riding in the back seat and use of child safety seats.

Conclusions

The Safe Communities approach was successful in promoting the use of child restraints in motor vehicles through a multi-faceted intervention that included efforts in various community settings, instructional classes and child safety seat distribution.
Peer youth physical violence among secondary schools students in south west Nigeria
Authors: Owoaje E T , Ndubusi N M
Published: March 2011

Background

Youth violence has been associated with adverse health behaviours and health outcomes in developed countries. However, there is limited information on the prevalence and factors associated with violence among adolescents in schools in Africa.

Methods

A cross sectional survey of 516 adolescents aged 13–15 years in six public secondary schools, in Ogun State located in south west Nigeria, was conducted using the Global School Health Survey instrument. The prevalence of self-reported fights and bullying in the prior 12 months and their association with selected adverse health behaviours and outcomes were assessed.

Findings

The reported exposure to physical fights and bullying was 47.9%. More males (54.9%) had been involved in physical fights compared to the females (39.4%), p=0.00. On multivariate logistic regression being male (OR: 1.56; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.28), having a history of a recent history of injury (OR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.64), being a gang member (OR:2.41; 95% CI 1.06 to 5.48) and having been bullied (OR:1.78; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.61) were associated with a history of physical fights. Exposure to bullying was also commoner among the males (52.1%) than the females (42.5%), p=0.03. History of recent injury (OR: 2.07; 95% CI 1.42 to 3.02), alcohol intake (OR: 2.09; 95% CI 1.29 to 3.36) and prolonged feelings of loneliness (OR: 1.68; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.21) were associated with bullying on multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

Physical fights and bullying are common among these adolescents and are associated with adverse health outcomes and behaviours. Intervention programmes aimed at reducing youth violence should be designed and implemented.
A randomised, controlled trial of home injury hazard reduction: The HOME injury study
Authors: Phelan K J , Khoury J , Xu Y , Liddy S , Hornung R , Lanphear B P
Published: March 2011

Background

The home is a leading location of injury for young children.

Objective

Test the efficacy of home safety device installation on medically-attended injury.

Methods

Of 8878 screened prenatal patients, 1263 (14%) were eligible and 468 (37%) agreed to participate. 355 children were born and randomly assigned to experimental (n=181) or control (n=174) groups. The mean number and density (no. per area) of hazards were assessed at home visits by trained research assistants using a validated survey. Medically-attended visits were measured by telephone survey. Two intention-to-treat analyses were conducted on (1) total injury rates and (2) on injuries deemed, a priori, preventable by installation of devices. Rates were calculated over 24 months using Poisson regression and generalised estimating equations.

Results

The mean age of children at intervention was 6 months. Injury hazards were significantly reduced from baseline to 12 months in intervention but not control homes (p<0.005). The mean number (p<0.02) but not density (p=0.44) of hazards was also reduced at 24 months compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the rate of all medically-attended injuries for intervention compared to control group children, 14.3 (95% CI 9.7 to 21.1) versus 20.8 (95% CI 14.4 to 29.9) per 100 child-years (p=0.17) respectively; but there was a significant reduction in preventable medically attended injuries among intervention compared to control group children, 2.3 (95% CI 1.0 to 5.5) versus 7.7 (95% CI 4.2 to 14.2) per 100 child-years, respectively (p=0.026).

Conclusions

An intervention to reduce exposure to injury hazards in homes of young children led to a 70% reduction in injury.
Decision analytic models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of strategies for preventing fire-related injuries in children
Authors: Dhiman P , Goncalves P S , Cooper N , Sutton A , Kendrick D
Published: March 2011

Aim

To develop decision analytic models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of strategies for preventing fire-related injuries in children, for use in Children's Centres in the UK.

Methods

Decision models will be developed to characterise the impact of different interventions to prevent fire related injuries (eg, possession of functional smoke alarms, fire guards and fire extinguishers) in terms of costs and quality of life. These models will be populated using relevant data obtained from a variety of sources including: (i) effectiveness of the different interventions in preventing fire related injury obtained from systematic review of existing experimental and observational studies, (ii) costs obtained from existing economic evaluations and other published data and (iii) effectiveness of a range of interventions on the use (and functioning) of equipment from existing trials and systematic reviews This decision analysis will identify the most cost effective strategies to increase the prevalence of functioning equipment and prevent fire related injuries. All model parameters will be estimated with uncertainty and correlation between parameters will be accounted for within a comprehensive modelling framework using Bayesian methods.

Results and Conclusions

The decision analysis models for fire prevention interventions will be used to develop injury guidance for Children's Centres (injury prevention briefing, (IPB)). The implementation of the IPB will be tested using a cluster randomised control trial.
Short- and long-term consequences of agricultural injuries among children/youth and impact on agricultural operations: a case-control study
Authors: Alexander B H , Gerberich S G , Ryan A D , Renier C M , Church T R , Masten A , McGovern P M , Mongin S J
Published: March 2011

Occupational and residential environments overlap on agricultural operations, placing children/youths as well as adults at risk. This study was conducted to determine the short- and long-term physical, psychosocial and economic consequences of injuries occurring among children/youths living in operation households and the associated burden on the overall operations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska Midwestern states characteristic of major types of United States agricultural production. From a random selection of 32 000 agricultural operations, generated from the states operations by the United States Department of Agriculture, 1474 eligible agricultural households participated. Baseline and follow-up data on physical and mental health, agricultural and other injury disability and economic status, were collected by trained interviewers using computerised assisted telephone interview data collection instruments; two 6-month injury data collection periods followed baseline collection. Among all household members, a total of 584 injuries were incurred with 250 related to their own agricultural operation. Respective child/youth case and control households, identified for these two 6-month periods were: (1) 100 cases (122 injuries), 366 controls; (2) 115 cases (138 injuries), 414 controls. Follow-up evaluation data were collected annually for each set, for the subsequent 2 years. Analyses focus on short-/long-term consequences, by examining changes between baseline, and follow-up data, comparing case and control households. Confounders are selected for multiple logistic regression analyses using directed acyclic graphs; reweighting adjusts for response and eligibility biases. Results of this effort address a serious deficiency in knowledge about the burden of agricultural and other injury consequences.
Epidemiology and prevention of hand amputations in Greece: data from the Emergency Department injury surveillance system
Authors: Panagopoulou P , Iakovakis I , Mentis A F A , Dessypris N , Petridou E
Published: March 2011

Hand amputations constitute a major cause of disability and public health concern with significant socio-economic dimensions.

Aim

To investigate hand amputation epidemiology, identify risk groups and estimate the potential for prevention.

Methods

EDISS in Greece, comprising four hospitals across the country, captures patient and injury information (demographics, accident conditions, injury description, outcome). During 1996–2004, among ∼0.5 million cases recorded, 86 211 were hand injuries resulting in 964 amputations (1.1%). To identify preventable amputation causes detailed injury descriptions regarding injury mechanism were examined.

Results

Among hand amputations 937 involved fingers, 23 palms and 4 wrists. The estimated (extrapolated) number of amputations was 3940 and the calculated overall incidence rate (IR) 3.62 per 10 000 person-years. The highest IR (8.02) was recorded among males 15–64 years old. The three most common mechanisms involved: tools in 445 (57.8%), doors in 172 (22.3%) and materials in 50 (6.5%) cases; of note, 148 victims were woodworkers (15.3%). The least common causes were animals, jewellery and fireworks (10, 7 and 6 cases respectively). Analysis of the accident conditions revealed the most common causes: lack of preventive measures/appropriate training and work overload. Most amputations due to doors were attributed to non-use of door handle while closing the door or could have been prevented by a chocking door closing mechanism.

Conclusions

Amputations of the hand constitute a small but non-negligible percentage of all hand injuries. The main risk group is young males and woodwork professionals, whereas doors pose a significant risk. Raising awareness and implementing simple measures could reduce the burden of this disabilitating injury.
Atypical face-scan patterns in children misinterpreting dogs facial expressions evidence from eye-tracking
Authors: Meints K , Allen K , Watson C
Published: March 2011

Research shows that children get bitten at least twice as often as adults and children under 7 are at a significantly higher risk (Kahnet al, 2003; Kahnet al, 2004). It has recently been estimated that as many as 47% of children are bitten by a dog in their school years (Beck & Jones, 1985; Spiegel, 2000). Lakestani (2006) found that children do not look at the body language of dogs, but pay attention to the face instead. Recently, it was found that children do indeed misinterpret angry dog facial expressions as smiling and being happy (Meints, Racca & Hickey, in prep.). In investigating children's scanning patterns of human and dog faces we examined whether children's misinterpretations are due to a partial scan path on dogs angry faces as opposed to full scan paths including eyes, nose and mouth in human faces or other dog faces. With new technology, Intermodal Preferential Looking in combination with mobile eye-tracking (Meints & Woodford, 2008), we investigated children's looking preferences. We found that children's scan pattern deviates for aggressive dog faces. Children do not show the typical eye-nose-mouth scan pattern that they show for other faces, but instead, show a significantly different scan pattern which mainly focuses on the dogs mouth and teeth area. These results are an important step forward in recognising why children misinterpret dogs facial information. Implementation of this insight into prevention messages and programmes can now be attained.
The role of pupils liaisons on traffic penalties and road traffic injuries in Iran
Authors: Ainy E , Soori H , Montazeri A , Omidvari S , Jahangiree A R Colonel , Shiran G R
Published: March 2011

Objective

The role of pupils liaisons education on social discipline promotion and road traffic injury prevention was the main objective of this study.

Methods

It was a before-after interventional study on 2800 pupils randomly selected from six different districts of Tehran. Data was collected by a questionnaire for children's performances and other demographic information. Validity and reliability of questionnaire was determined by content validity and test re test.

Results

Subjects were 2800 pupils 8–15 years (Mean and median of ages: 11 years). Overall, 47.7% of pupils were boys and others girls. In general, 85.9% of parents had positive reaction to point out of their filial, 11% with no reaction and only 3% were protested to filial pointing out. lack of seat belt use 39.1%, speaking with mobile and driving 31.8% and speeding 29.8% as major offences. Recorded offences by traffic police before the intervention was 2789 cases (SD = 2.6). A significant differences with 17.9 percent reduction in offences were observed after intervention (2290 cases, SD = 2.6, p < 0.001). In 9 part of education which was focused by pupils liaisons there was a range of (9.9–55.6%) with significant reduction (p < 0.001) except of sleepy or fatigue and mobile speaking during driving. The most offences reduction were eating and drinking during driving (92.7%).

Conclusion

Pupils' liaison program was effective on reduction of driving offences. The most causes of offences were eating or drinking during driving. All affairs which were educated by pupils liaisons were effective on offences reduction except mobile speaking and driving.