bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness and cost-savings of first eye cataract surgery in reducing crash risk: a population based study
Authors: Meuleners L , Hendrie D , Ng J , Semmens J
Published: March 2011

The present study examined the effectiveness of cataract surgery in terms of crash risk and associated costs on drivers aged 60 and older at a population level. A retrospective before and after comparison of all Police reported crashes which included fatal, hospitalisation, injury and property damage only (PDO) crashes, for patients who had undergone cataract surgery in the first eye was undertaken using linked data from the Western Australian Data Linkage System. An economic analysis by the type of crash was also undertaken on the cost savings from cataract surgery as a result of reducing crash risk for this group. Between 1997 and 2006, there were 27 827 patients in Western Australian who underwent cataract surgery in one eye only. Of this cohort, 1715 patients were involved in 1762 Police reported crash events, either 1 year before (n=941 crashes) or 1 year after cataract surgery (n=821 crashes). The results of the Poisson Generalised Estimated Equation analysis found a significant reduction of 13% (p<0.001) in all Police reported crashes frequency after accounting for all relevant covariates. The cost savings from this reduction in crashes amounted to $4.3 million. The results of this study have provided some useful findings relating to the effectiveness and cost saving of first eye cataract surgery in reducing crash involvement for older drivers that will be useful both in future policy development and guide future research in this field.
Parental willingness to pay for child safety seats in Mashhad, Iran
Authors: Jarahi L , Karbakhsh M , Rashidian A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of years of life lost in Iran with the highest rate of road traffic crashes fatalities is the Middle East. Child safety seats (CSS) are not still necessitated by law in Iran. The purpose of this research was to determine the parental willingness to pay (WTP) for child restraints in Mashhad, the second most populated city in Iran with one of the highest rates of road traffic-related death in the country.

Methods

We surveyed 590 parents of kindergarten children who owned an automobile and were willing to participate in the study in the year 2009. They were asked about the maximum amount of money they were willing to pay for CSS. Contingent valuation method (CVM) was used for assessing WTP among parents.

Results

The mean age of children was 33.5 months and 51% of them were female. The median parental WTP for CSS was estimated to be $15. Higher household economical status and higher parents educational grade were significantly associated with the amount of money they were willing to pay for CSS.

Discussion

Our study showed that the median parental WTP was much lower than the actual price of this equipment and those who were of lower socio-economic class were less willing to pay. Community-based interventions to give advice on and lend/or CSS to these families can be recommended.
Some peculiarities of road traumatism in the big city
Authors: Karp L , Jaxybekova G
Published: March 2011

The analysis of basic road traumatism indices was performed based on data collected during monitoring of road traumatism in the city of Astana (Kazakhstan). Analysis of traumas cared for at the first aid station was conducted according to their type, time, gender and age of the victims, and type of the first medical aid team. Besides, a survey of drivers and pedestrians of the city was conducted, which included 842 respondents (252 drivers and 590 pedestrians). The survey revealed that 97.8% of the drivers have a history of traffic rules violations. The most frequent causes were as follows: being in a hurry (42.9%), high traffic intensity (38.1%) and poor road conditions (36.9%). The factors that the drivers consider as not meeting the norms were as follows: road quality (51.1%), location of road signs (46.8%), functioning of traffic lights (46.8%) and the state of manholes (38.9%). The following contributing factors were mentioned: the number of motor vehicles, speeding, insufficient road capacity, poor traffic organisation, technical flaws of traffic lights and road signs, absence of crosswalks and drunk driving. According to pedestrians, the main contributing factors were as follows: the number of motor vehicles (44.7%), speeding (39.2%), drunk driving (36.8%) and poor traffic organisation. The obtained data are useful for trauma surveillance. This work highlights the importance of prevention of motor vehicle accident traumatism and improvement of organisation of emergency medical aid. There is now a need for creation of specialised traumatological emergency medical aid crews.
Hot tap water legislation in the U.S.
Authors: Chang A , Pressman M , Blank E , Peck M
Published: March 2011

Objective

Tap-water scalding and its subsequent injuries are often preventable through simple measures such as reducing water heater thermostats to a maximum of 50°C or installing temperature-regulating valves. Yet a lack of public awareness of the risk, prevalence, and severity of scald burn injuries reduces prevention efforts. This study describes the current tap water legislation with the goal of facilitating advocacy groups and policy makers in their future efforts towards scald burn injury prevention.

Methods

We gathered and reviewed information from individual state legislative codes, model code organisations, and the CPSC; and conducted a scald-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours survey of 1003 US adults.

Results

Legislation in 47 states and the District of Columbia includes an administrative code concerning the regulation of tap-water temperature. Hospitals and related healthcare facilities often have their own building codes limiting the temperature of hot water supplied to patients. The majority of states also adopt a model plumbing code, developed primarily by one or two standards organisations. Amendments to code result in various code content, code edition used, and individualised state applications. Progress in uniformly standardising codes are impeded by widespread public ignorance regarding the importance of scald burn prevention.

Conclusions

Tap water scalds can be easily prevented if public awareness of their dangers is increased and a national standard for tap water temperature regulation is adopted and applied across counties and cities. Tap water scalds remain a serious public health issue that future investigation and legislation should address.
National strategy for safety of children and youth
Authors: Szymborski J
Published: March 2011

Child injury rates have been slowly improving over the past decades, but it is still a long road ahead to control the leading killer of children in Poland. High proportion of injuries as a factor in mortality among children and adolescents, as well as unfavourable position of Poland in international comparative data fully justify urgent necessity to enforce a national strategy for safety of children and youth. The strategy has been developed under the patronage of the Polish Ombudsman. The strategy defines key challenges and calls for action, based on evidence gathered from national programs of children protection. The main objectives of the strategy consist of enabling the young people to actualize their potential and of decreasing death and harm rate caused by injuries and violence. The strategy should focus on localisations where at various stages safety of a child is endangered: home, school, streets, sport and recreation facilities. Approach to injuries and violence must be comprehensive, that is considering all risk factors and all remedies: medical, psychological and legal ones. List of safety-related priorities in Poland includes such problems as: unintentional/consumer injuries; negligence and violence towards children; suicides of children and teenagers; demoralisation and youth crime; epidemic diseases and mass disasters. The working out and implementation of the strategy requires cooperation with all individuals and institutions who might be helpful and have necessary experience. However, the institution of Ombudsman appears to be particularly suitable to monitor childrens and youths right to safety, and to evaluate the quality of cross-sector cooperation.
A behaviour-based safety programme for New Zealand truck drivers
Authors: Everdon R , Leland L S
Published: March 2011

Driving is a dangerous occupation in New Zealand. Narrow, twisting, hilly roads present a spectacular, unforgiving topography. Trucks cover only 7% of the total distance travelled on the 7000 miles of major NZ roadways. Truck crashes account for nearly 21% of the total road fatalities. In most truck collisions, other road users die, not the truck drivers. In 2005–2006, NZs Accident Compensation Corporation paid out nearly $7 million for out-of-truck driver injuries. Ongoing expenses paid to previously injured drivers (unable to return to their jobs) totalled over $10 million. No prior truck driver safety research parallels the conditions faced by NZ truck drivers. Our safety strategy tests the effectiveness of Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) using agency reports, management buy-in and driver focus groups to determine the hazards of the profession. We created Critical Behaviour Checklists to measure safe practices, and paired these with low-tech black-box units (substitute co-workers). We expect the programme will increase conscientious behaviours and that drivers will become more responsible for their own and others safety. We anticipate reductions in truck crashes, vehicle/property damage and out-of-truck injuries. This unique application of BBS techniques may also prove useful to bus or taxi drivers, subway or railway workers. Our truck driver safety study is currently in its second stage, and is ongoing. In preventing just one truck crash or injury, this BBS programme will prove its worth to increase the safety of all New Zealand road users.
Interpretation of safe parameters of chemical compositions and noise level of the fireworks crackers
Authors: Babu V , Azhagurajan A
Published: March 2011

Fireworks makes kids happy during the festival occasions especially Deepavali. Even though it is amazing, it has many hazards which give harms to old people and patients. According to Supreme Court verdict (2005) that cracker should not give the sound level exceeding 125dBA (I) at 4-meter distances. So it has become more compulsory for alternative fireworks products to reduce noise level at the same time without losing the splendor and joy of fireworks. Those tools have quantitative data on sensitivity (exothermic onset temperature) as well as severity (heat of decomposition). So these respective equipments (DSC and TG-DTA) are used on my paper for studying the thermal characteristics of various fire cracker compositions. Impact sensitivity of Pyrotechnic Flash Compositions consisting of mixtures of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) , Sulphur (S) and Aluminum (Al) is experimentally analyzed using equipment similar to BAM (fall hammer) equipment and friction sensitivity.
Application of explosion potential area classification in industry
Authors: Babu V
Published: March 2011

Explosion potential area classification (EPAC) is a basis for the explosion prevention and protection in industry processes. By considering the releasing frequency of the dust release resources and the possibility of forming explosive hybrids, the paper gave out the classification steps and method. Using the method EPAC for a bulk grain processing system was carried out in the paper. It is found that different area of the process has different level of risk. The results is useful for people to choose explosion protection measures with pertinence for the process.
Preventing child injuries in New York state
Authors: Hardman S , Willing S , Bauer M
Published: March 2011

Injuries are the leading cause of death for children in New York State (NYS) United States. Annually in NYS between 2005 and 2007, an average of 633 children aged 0–19 years died due to an injury, an average of 18 478 children were hospitalised ($325M US dollars, annually in hospital charges) and an average of 483 633 were treated and released from an emergency department ($400M US dollars annually in charges). The 2008 WHO and CDC reports described the problem of child injuries. In response to this growing public health problem, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) Bureau of Injury Prevention initiated a Child Injury and Violence Prevention Campaign to strengthen the capacity of communities to conduct evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs. As nearly 75% of North Americans access the Internet, on-line fact sheets with data and prevention tips for providers and parents, as well as toolkits for communities will be posted on the NYSDOH website and distributed statewide. A March 2010 Child Injury Prevention Symposium will be held for injury prevention practitioners. The symposium will include presentations on the problem of child injury and violence in NYS, evidence-based prevention strategies, a community advocate presentation on how to educate decision makers in passing child injury prevention policies, and toolkit demonstrations on fall and fire prevention, bicycle safety and shaken baby syndrome prevention. In June 2010, a follow-up Child Injury Prevention Policy Symposium will be held to educate practitioners on effective advocacy strategies and tools for promoting child injury and violence prevention policies.
Changing patterns in attempted suicides: experience from a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka
Authors: de Silva P , de Silva D , Jayasinghe S , de Alwis Seneviratne R , Abeyratne M , Rajapakse D , Mendis N
Published: March 2011

Objectives

To describe characteristics of patients admitted to National Hospital Sri Lanka (NHSL) following attempted suicide.

Methods

Trained researchers identified all patients admitted following attempted suicide to NHSL from April 2002 to April 2003. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect relevant information.

Results

Of 1067 cases, 593 (55.6%) were females, 183 (61%) were less than 24 years of age, 609 (57.8%) single, 845 (83.9%) had received up to secondary education, and 448 (44.9%) were in full time employment. Mean duration of admission was 82.38 h. Case death rate was 4.6% (49 deaths). There were 965 (91.8%) deliberate self-poisoning among which 316 (30.1%) ingested pesticides; 222 (21.1%) non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics, 130 (12.4%) other drugs, 135 (12.8%) other noxious substances. Substances used in self-poisoning were 197 (20.4%) Paracetamol, 126 (13%) Run-rat, 41 (4.2%) Kerosene oil and 39 (4%) Diazepam. Two hundred and three (30%) were referred for psychiatric care and none to police.

Conclusion

Substances used for attempted suicide have changed, with an increased use of medicines, in contrast to organophosphates reported as commonest substance in 1976. Paracetamol has emerged commonest substance and necessitates policies for minimising access to substance, along with developing guide-lines for management. A change in referral pattern was seen. An audit of records in 1994 indicated 90% of persons were referred to police, while in this study police referral was not observed and follows decriminalisation of attempted suicides.
Interventions to prevent suicides in Sri Lanka: a randomised control trial
Authors: de Silva P , de Silva D , Jayasinghe S , de Alwis Seneviratne R , Abeyratne M , Rajapakse D , Mendis N
Published: March 2011

Objective

To determine effectiveness of an intervention and follow-up of patients admitted following attempted suicide.

Methods

300 patients admitted following attempted suicide allocated to an intervention (a session of psycho-education) and follow up or treatment as usual group using random numbers. The inclusion criteria included age above 12 years, having telephone access, and agreeing to participate in the research. Those residing in the Colombo Municipal area who did not have telephone access were given an additional option of home visits by area family health worker (FHW). Follow up was by telephone interviews or FHW visits while non-intervention subjects were traced at 18 months.

Results

668 persons were initially interviewed and 300 recruited. The intervention arm had 151 allocated of whom 96 (64%) received telephone follow up and 55 (36%) received FHW visits, while in the non-intervention group this was 115 (77.1%) and 34 (22.9%), respectively. At 18 months there were 32 (10.6%) drop outs, with 135 in the intervention group while 132 in the non-intervention group. In the non-intervention group 39 (29.5%) requested support, 35 (26.5%) sought support and there were three (2.3%) suicides, five (3.8%) re-attempted suicides while in the intervention group these were 81 (59.3%), 76 (56.3%), one (0.7%) and three (2.2%), respectively.

Conclusion

Intervention group requested more support and had a lower trend towards repeat suicides. Telephone and FHW follow-up is a feasible method to provide information and support.
Feelings experienced after previous suicide attempt by the individual and the reaction of close relatives or friends to previous attempt
Authors: de Silva P , de Silva D , Jayasinghe S , de Alwis Seneviratne R , Abeyratne M , Rajapakse D , Mendis N
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The feelings experienced after a suicide attempt by the individual and the reaction of close relatives or friends to attempt is important in designing preventive mechanisms.

Objective

To describe the experience of the patient after the previous suicide attempt and the reaction of close relatives or friends to the previous suicide attempt.

Method

From 668 presented with attempted suicides presented to National Hospital of Sri Lanka (April to December 2002), 300 were randomly selected and interviewed using a pretested questionnaire.

Results

Previous suicidal attempts were present in 29 (9.7%) out of total 300 attempted suicides. The feelings following the previous suicide attempt were as follows: 19 felt pity (65.5%), 16 felt embarrassed (55.2%), 13 felt ashamed (44.8%), 11 felt afraid (37.9%), 10 felt angry (34.5%), 4 felt released (13.8%) and 2 felt proud (6.9%). Regarding reaction of close relatives or friends to last attempt, 25 (86.2%) of patients felt that others showed pity for patient, 11 (45.8%) patients felt that some people showed understanding, 16 (57.1%) felt that no one showed anger or irritation, 21 (75%) felt that others did not show embarrassment or avoided them, 24 (85.7%) felt no body laughed at them, 23 (82.1%) felt others did not ignore them.

Conclusion

The feeling following the suicidal attempts was of shame and embarrassment. The close relatives or friends of attempted suicides do not show negative emotions.
Selected aspects of attempted suicides
Authors: de Silva P , de Silva D , Jayasinghe S , de Alwis Seneviratne R , Abeyratne M , Rajapakse D , Mendis N
Published: March 2011

Objectives

To describe selected aspects of attempted suicides.

Methods

From 668 presented with attempted suicides presented to National Hospital of Sri Lanka (April to December 2002), 300 were randomly selected and interviewed using a pretested questionnaire.

Results

All confessed that at the time of the incident they really wanted to die. In 134 (45%) instances no one was present at the time of the incident and 225 (75.5%) made the attempt without prior planning. After the attempt 178 (60.1%) notified a potential helper. Majority (190, 63.8%) had not communicated regarding the intention to harm at any time before the incident. When asked about the chances of death 132 (44.7%) informed that death was probable or certain. Most (268, 90.5%) of the incidents did not have an association with alcohol or drug use. Interpersonal conflicts were the precipitating cause in 230 (76.6%).

Conclusion

Even though at the time of the event all wanted to die majority had notified after the event. Most have not communicated the need to die at any time before the incident. Most acts were done without prior preparation. Interpersonal conflicts were the commonest precipitating cause.
Suicidal behaviour among those who attempted suicide and their close relatives/friends
Authors: de Silva P , de Silva D , Jayasinghe S , de Alwis Seneviratne R , Abeyratne M , Rajapakse D , Mendis N
Published: March 2011

Objectives

To describe the repetition of suicidal attempts and the awareness of suicidal behaviour among close people.

Methods

From 668 attempted suicides presented to National Hospital of Sri Lanka (April to December 2002), 300 were randomly selected and interviewed.

Results

Previous suicidal attempts were present in 29 (9.7%) among which six have attempted more than twice. Majority (25, 86.2%) were deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) while few were intentional self harm (4, 13.8%). Knowledge of family or close friend who committed suicide was reported by 96 (32%). There were 13 (4.4%) reported suicides in biological family while 46 (15.4%) were close friends and 42 (14%) were neighbours. Among the known persons of DSP, drugs were consumed by 30 (43.5%) and pesticides by 26 (37.7%). Among intentional self harm the commonest method used was fire (11, 45.8%) and hanging/strangulation (07, 29.2%). The time lapse between the index suicidal attempt in the subjects was within 1 year of the suicidal attempt of the family member or friend in 45 (41.3%) of those who reported knowledge of a family member or close friend who committed suicide.

Conclusion

The number with past suicidal attempts in our study is 10% which is a contrast to 54% reporting a previous suicide attempt in the WHO/EU multi-centre study on parasuicide. A total of 33% reporting knowledge of a close friend relative or neighbour who attempted suicide may indicate a strong influence of models in suicidal behaviour.
Ocular injury among welders
Authors: Metwally F M , El-Assal S M
Published: March 2011

Welders are an important occupational group in industrial Countries. Welding is a process of joining metals by melting and fusion and it is usually associated with cutting processes in many manufacturing operations. The study included 75 male welders and 100 male workers who had never been involved in welding operations as a control group. High prevalence rates of eye manifestations and abnormal ocular findings among welders were found by ophthalmological examination. The results of the study were attributed to the impact of non-ionizing radiation (ultraviolet and infrared) as well as flying metals in the working environment. Those with little experience, like young aged welders and those whose duration of work less than 5 years recorded the highest mean days off-work/year due to photophthalmia and/or eye foreign body injury. Eye protective devices and educational programs stressing the importance of wearing them are essential.
Decreased road traffic injuries mortality in Iran – role of health sector
Authors: Hassani S A , Masoumi G , Fathi M , Haddadi M , Siahtir M , Rezaee A , Khaledi M
Published: March 2011

Background

This cross sectional study was carried in the EOC of Ministry of Health & Medical Education, for road traffic injuries. The aim of this study was showing the role of health sector in decreasing road traffic injuries mortality as a public health challenge according to the forth developmental agenda.

Materials and Methods

The data were gathered in the Disaster and Emergency Management Centres of 41 medical universities in Iran and was analyzed in the Eoc of Ministry of Health using SPSS version 12.

Result

Increasing the number of prehospital emergency centres per population (25% in 2006 comparing to 2005, and 21% in 2007 comparing to 2006), decrease in the number of death per fatal crashes (4 in 2006, in comparison with 1.3 in 2007), 43.1% decrease in the number of death at the scene and 33.8% decrease in the number of death during hospital transit in 2007 in comparison to 2005, and decrease in arrival time of EMS from 10 min for urban missions in 2005 to 7 min in 2007 all are due to five basic managerial achievements in the Ministry of Health & Medical Education including planning, organising, staffing, leadership and control.

Conclusion

For decreasing road traffic injuries mortality and morbidity rate, holistic approach in the EMS management is needed, which target both human resources (staff and training) and physical resources (infrastructure, equipment and supplies).
Association between child road safety behaviour and prevention activities
Authors: Strukcinskiene B
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Lithuanias child road traffic injury rates are still among the highest in the European Region. The aim of study is to establish association of child road safety behaviour with prevention activities.

Materials and Methods

A survey of schoolchildren was conducted. Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) were used.

Results

In the survey 403 boys and 531 girls, aged 10 to 19 years participated. 16.8% schoolchildren were injured in traffic accident, most of them once (71.3%). The survey revealed that childrens road safety behaviour is not always acceptable in accordance with road safety factors. In most cases the girls behave significantly more safely in road traffic compared with boys. The study results also showed the reason, why children do not use safety equipment, such as: reflectors and helmets. Almost half of respondents do not own the equipment. Some schoolchildren did not like their design, or did not believe that reflectors or helmets would help to enhance safety. The survey revealed that schoolchildren's behaviour in traffic was more acceptable of those who participated in preventive activities and received materials or safety equipment. The correlation coefficient demonstrates the medium positive correlation between road safety behaviour and prevention (r=0.424, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Girls road safety behaviour is more acceptable than that of boys. A medium correlation was obtained between schoolchildren's road safety behaviour and prevention. Road traffic injury prevention activities for children in Lithuania need to be enhanced.
A public health approach to fall and injury prevention among seniors in Canada
Authors: Scott V , Herman M , Gallagher E , Sum A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The need to prevent falls and related injuries among seniors is a significant public health issue in Canada, and all nations where an aging demographic puts higher numbers at risk. To address this costly and complex problem, a sustained collaboration has occurred over the past 20 years among falls prevention leaders within government, the health system, academia and local communities.

Methods

This review summarizes key elements of a coordinated, public health approach to the prevention of falls and related injuries among those aged 65 years, with an epidemiological analysis of fall-related hospital and mortality data for persons aged 65 years and older. Review methods included a synthesis of historical records, a scan of existing programs and findings from in-depth interviews with key informants.

Results

Outcomes of this sustained approach include a significant reduction in fall-related hospitalization and death rates in some Canadian provinces, which is paralleled by a growth in evidence-based falls prevention programs and services for those at risk.

Conclusion

This presentation concludes with a summary of the key developments in the evolution of fall and related injury prevention activities over the past two decades. In particular, how the sustained, collaborative efforts have resulted in Canada emerging as an example of success in the formation of comprehensive networks for the integration of evidence-based falls prevention into health service delivery for seniors.
A new method of working with ‘Driveaholics’ (young, risk-taking male drivers) for greater global road safety
Authors: Hill J , Fickling G
Published: March 2011

Until now, young driver issues have been dealt with on the basis of what they ‘do’ that is unsafe. However, youth road safety is very little about what they do – it is almost entirely about how they think and how this thinking causes them to behave. New research into the group of drivers at highest risks on roads (risk-taking young males, or Driveaholics) has found that they can be challenged to reduce risk-taking behaviour and increase their safety without requiring further punishments or threats. This is achieved by a twofold procedure of showing them in a practical way that they are not bulletproof drivers, and then challenging them to confine risk-taking driving behaviours to safe environments. The more than 5000 young drivers who have completed this program have been found to be between 50 and 77% less likely to be involved in a collision into their first years of driving, and also have greatly reduced law infraction rates. This increase in safety is of great benefit to these young males, who are often exemplary drivers once they are older. It is also of great benefit to other road users, as risks reduce for all.
Essential trauma care capacity for road traffic injury in five provinces in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen T L H , Ngoc L T T , Nguyen T T H
Published: March 2011

Background

In Vietnam, injury is the leading cause of death in children under 18, and road traffic accidents are the fifth leading cause of death. Essential trauma care for road traffic injury (RTI) is very important in Vietnam.

Objectives

To assess injury situation and the existing level of essential trauma care (ETC) capacity for RTI in five provinces.

Design and Subjects

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 districts in 2008. We studied 17 district hospitals, 60 commune health stations, 3000 village health workers and volunteers (VHW).

Results

The injury mortality in 2008 were different between provinces, ranged from 21.17 to 40.69/100 000 (year-1). Road traffic accidents were the leading cause of injury (41.6%). The 20–59 group had the highest proportion of injury (63.6%). Three out of five provinces have an emergency medical centre. Commune health stations and district hospitals provided trauma care for 8.5% and 30.7% of injured cases respectively. Less than 40% of district hospitals and 30% of commune health stations had enough equipment for ETC. From 8.8% to 37% of VHW were provided some basic first aid equipment. Only 36.7% of VHW had provided first aid for RTI and 31.2% of VHW were trained on first aid for RTI.

Conclusion

The results reveal that RTI is a major health problem in five provinces and the ETC capacity for RTI is weak. Study results may assist decision-makers in identifying interventions to improve ETC capacity.
Developing new risk models to target the Fire and Rescue Service's free Home Fire Safety Checks more effectively
Authors: Turner S , Lyons R A , Rodgers S E , Hall R
Published: March 2011

As part of a major initiative to reduce the number of fire related deaths and injuries in the home, Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) throughout the UK have been offering free Home Fire and Safety Checks (HFSCs). HFSCs are a proven approach to improving fire safety in the home. In an attempt to direct HFSCs towards high risk households, many FRSs have developed individual and area based risk models. However, following discussions with the FRS, existing risk models appear to overlook some high risk groups, and as such there appears to be a need to refine these models. The aim of this study is to develop new individual and household level risk models, which will supplement existing FRS models, in order to target the HFSC more effectively. These models will be developed by linking currently available health, education and environmental datasets stored in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) system at the Health Information Research Unit (HIRU), to data received from the FRS. If these new models appear encouraging, it is proposed that new marketing approaches will be developed and evaluated, to improve the uptake of HFSCs by these high risk households. This study will form the basis of a larger RCT study, which will test the effectiveness of these newly developed risk models and marketing approaches.
Serum S100-B as a tool to predict computed cranial tomography findings in mild brain injury
Authors: Zongo D , Ribereau-Gayon R , Masson F , Lagarde E
Published: March 2011

Background

Minor head injury (MHI) has a high incidence and implies a risk of brain injury. Cranial computed tomography (CCT) is recommended for early detection of these lesions. However the indication of CCT is based on non specific clinical symptoms. Protein S100-B was then suggested as a promising tool to identify those patients with no risk of cranial injury.

Objective

To evaluate S100-B as a screening tool in the management of MHI.

Methods

Patients attending Bordeaux emergency department with an isolated MHI were consecutively included during 15 months. Blood samples were drawn within 6 h after head injury to assess S100-B level.

Results

1559 patients were included. CCT was indicative of cranial injury in 112 patients (7%). At the threshold of 0.10 g/l, S100B has a sensitivity of 99% (95% CI 95 to 100), a specificity of 12% (11–14) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99% (97–100) as compared with CCT results. 12% of the patients has a S110-B level below this threshold and therefore could have been discharged with CCT. A threshold of 0.12μg/L proved however to be the best compromise between sensitivity (99%), specificity (20%) and a NPV of 99.7% (98–100) with CCT potentially avoided for 19% of the patients.

Discussion

Early determination of S100-B blood levels is highly sensitive to detect CCT abnormalities. The threshold of 0.12 μg/L was the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity in our study.
Determinants of agricultural injury: a novel application of population health theory
Authors: Pickett W , Hagel L , Day A G , Day L , Sun X , Brison R J , Marlenga B , King M , Crowe T , Pahwa P , Koehncke N , Dosman J
Published: March 2011

Objective

(1) To apply novel population health theory to the modelling of injury experiences in one particular research context, (2) To enhance understanding of the conditions and practices that lead to farm injury.

Design

Prospective cohort study conducted over 2 years (2007–2009).

Setting

50 rural municipalities in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Subjects

5038 participants from 2169 Saskatchewan farms, contributing 10 092 person-years of follow-up.

Main Measures

Exposure. Self-reported times involved in farm work; Effect Modifiers. Scaled measures describe socio-economic, physical and cultural farm environments; Outcome: Self-reported farm injuries.

Results

450 farm injuries were reported for 370 individuals on 338 farms over 2 years of follow-up. Amounts of farm work exposure were strongly and consistently related to time to first injury event. Relationships between farm work hours and time to first injury were not modified in the directions suggested by theory between levels of the socio-economic, physical and cultural farm work environments. Respondents reporting high versus low levels of physical farm hazards at baseline experienced elevated risks for farm injury upon follow-up (Hazard Ratio 1.54; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.47).

Conclusions

Study findings failed to show interactions consistent with population health theory. Injury prevention efforts should continue to focus on: (1) sound occupational safety practices associated with long work hours; (2) physical risks and hazards on farms and (3) more speculatively, behavioural modification to minimise occupational injury risks.
Investigating blood alcohol concentration among RTI victims admitted to hospitals in five hospitals in Vietnam
Authors: Phuong N Nguyen , Passmore J , Nguyen C , Ngoc T , Le L , Dam H , Quang H
Published: March 2011

Drink driving is a major issue in Vietnam, yet, the magnitude of the problem is not adequately reported by the Government. Official statistics in 2008 revealed 6–7% of road traffic accidents occurred due to drink driving. This study was conducted in five major trauma hospitals across Vietnam, namely: Yen Bai, Viet Duc, Da Nang, Binh Duong and HoChiMinh Orthopedics hospitals with an aim to understand better the magnitude of the problem. Ethics clearance was sought from Ministry of Health. Study subjects were road traffic patients admitted to hospital with age from 18 and upwards. Consent was obtained from each patient before conducting tests.

Results

From August to October 2009, a total of 3774 road traffic patients were given BAC tests in five hospitals. On average, 67.5% were positive with alcohol, ranging from 41% in Viet Duc to over 95% in Binh Duong. Among those positive, 58.5% of patients were over the limit of 50mg/dl. Over 95% are reported male drinkers. Majority of male drinkers rode home after consuming beer or alcohol, ranging from 64% in Da Nang to 96% in Ho Chi Minh city.

Conclusions and Policy Implications

Drink driving is a major problem for road safety in Vietnam and is still largely under reported. It's recommended that sustained nation wide campaigns on risks of drink driving should be conducted, especially for motorcyclists. Strict enforcement is also crucial.
Road traffic injuries in Iran: literature review
Authors: Tabibi Z , Gupta B , Dandona R
Published: March 2011

Aim

Iran has one of the highest road traffic injury (RTI) mortality globally. This paper reviews the published literature to assess the type of information and gaps in the information on RTI for Iran.

Methods

Systematic review of the published literature from Iran was conducted using PubMed database and hand-searching of selected articles from the year 2000 to 2008.

Results

Among the 20 studies identified for review, 13 (65%) reported prospective and 7 (35%) retrospective data. Population-based studies accounted for 20% of the studies. 40% of studies reported data from the capital city of Tehran. Non-fatal RTI rate was reported in one study at 393 per 100 000 population and the reported RTI mortality ranged from 25.8 to 39 per 100 000 population with head injuries reported as the major cause of death. Males were nearly four times more likely to suffer non-fatal or fatal RTI as compared with females. Studies consistently demonstrated a peak for people aged 21–30 years for RTI. Pedestrians were the most vulnerable group in urban and motorised two-wheeled vehicle users in the rural areas. There was scarce reporting of risk factors for RTI, lack of sufficient data on fatal and non-fatal RTI for subpopulations, and non-availability of data on economic implications of RTI.

Conclusions

Significant gaps in information needed to establish priorities for planning RTI prevention programs are highlighted. It is important to address these to make RTI prevention a priority with the politicians in Iran to reduce the burden of RTI.
Reveal the sexual abuse in children and adolescents: analysis of the invisibility of the problem on the epidemiological and clinical perspective, legal. Recife/Brazil
Authors: e Silva M C Maia , De Brito A M , Tavares R , de Arajo J L Corra , De Lima Araujo A
Published: March 2011

This study presents a critical reflection surrounding the invisibility of sexual violence against children and adolescences in the epidemiology and legal perspective. Discussing the magnitude and the impact of sexual violence in children and adolescences quality of life, identifying the occurrence of sexual violence among mothers under the age of 14, residents in Recife, in the year 2005 until June 2007, referring to the presumed violence defined by law and an analysis of 2.031 sexual reports have been done in 1.144 children and adolescences. The results showed that 27% of the interviewed mothers have a former history of sexual violence, they live in poor condition social areas, have low schooling, and half of these families belong to an enrolled program named Bolsa Familia. The maternal grandmothers are the main responsible ones to provide economically for the children, having more than 60% of adolescence mothers being responsible for their own babies. The Judicial system needs to adopt better knowledge in protocols and interview techniques in these cases and have capability and disciplined teams, avoiding in being re-victimized and impunity. After all, this is a theme that every time is becoming much more emergent, sexual violence still continues being subnotified and of difficult diagnosis, needing better investigations to improve this invisibility.
Prevalence of driving distractions among high school student drivers in three Canadian cities
Authors: Oda J , Macpherson A , Middaugh-Bonney T , Brussoni M , Piedt S , Pike I
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and hospitalisation for Canadian youth. Graduated Drivers Licensing have been implemented in several Canadian provinces.

Purpose

To assess the prevalence of compliance with rules and driving distractions among high school students in three Canadian cities (Halifax, Barrie and Vancouver) representing different geographic, socioeconomic and jurisdictional settings.

Methods

Observations were made at schools in the three cities. Schools were identified using school board websites and DMTI, a company that partners with universities to disseminate spatial data. Schools were classified into tertiles based on the income of their neighbourhood census tract, (2006 census). Trained observers attended each site for 30 min at end of the school day in May and June, 2009. Information on: drivers sex, driver seatbelt use, presence of an adult, number of youth passengers and four driver distractions: cell phone use, loud music, eating and smoking were noted.

Results

417 observations were made at 40 schools. Among young drivers, the presence of at least one driver distraction was common (30.2% of cases). However, the type of distractions varied by province. The most common distraction was cell phone use in Vancouver. In Barrie and Halifax, the most common distraction was loud music. Distractions were seen more frequently among male drivers and drivers living in Vancouver. The effect of socioeconomic status varied by city. Seatbelt use was high in all sites.

Conclusion

Although many young drivers follow the rules, distractions remain common. Ongoing education and enforcement may improve youth driving behaviours further.
Driving offences and risk of subsequent crash in novice drivers: the DRIVE Study
Authors: Ivers R Q , Chen H Y , Boufous S , Senserrick T , Stevenson M R , Williamson A , Woodward M , Norton R
Published: March 2011

Background

Little research has examined associations between traffic offences and risk of crash in novice drivers.

Methods

20 822 NSW drivers aged 17–24 years holding a provisional licence completed a detailed questionnaire; data were linked to driving offences, and police recorded crashes 2 years following participation. Poisson regression models were adjusted for multiple risk factors including driving exposure, risky driving, and previous crash and offences.

Results

During follow-up, 9.0% of drivers had one crash, 0.6% had two crashes and 0.04% had three crashes; 35.3% of males had offences recorded compared to 21.3% of females and 41.1% of those reporting high levels of risky driving behaviours had offences compared to 16.3% of people reporting lower levels. In multivariable models, drivers who had any offence had a reduced risk of crash compared to those who had no offences (relative risk (RR) 0.47, 95%CI 0.41 to 0.54). The relationship was sustained for speeding and other offences, but not for reckless driving (RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.61 to 1.49) or alcohol related offences (RR 0.57, 95%CI 0.31 to 1.08). Having any driving offence was associated with increased time to crash (RR 1.21 95%CI 1.1 to 1.27 to 0.86).

Conclusion

Traffic offences, particularly speeding related offences, are associated with reduced risk of crash for novice drivers. These results suggest that enforcement based approaches are an important component of crash prevention programs for novice drivers.
Child injury prevention in the practice of paediatricians
Authors: Benesova V , Truellova I
Published: March 2011

The most common cause of the deadly injuries of children in the Czech Republic are traffic accidents, intentional self-harm and drowning. The most numerous injuries treated in the healthcare centres happen at home and in the vicinity of the house during leisure time. Compared with EU best rating countries the Czech injury rates are twice higher. Following the analysis of the child injury dates the Ministry of Health has decided to focus on the health advice provided by paediatricians. All children in Czech Republic must be registered with the specialist in child and adolescent health and attend to the regular and obligatory health preventive checks up to 19 years. Home environment in the Czech Republic tends to be traditional not liable to changes. The parents are not able to realize the existing risks and should be coached in the basic safety rules. This role can be well filled by the child and adolescent healthcare practitioner. But the paediatrician often do not have proper knowledge in the field of injury and violence prevention, need the information on specific risks and preventive means. Ministry of Health prepares a methodical concept for paediatricians to provide them with a tool in form of unified manual to educate parents and children in accident prevention and identify the possible risks. This will be recommended as a part of preventive health checks. The effectiveness of prevention is based on the important role of the paediatrician as a family advisor and parents trust in his skills.
An assessment of occupational hazards and ergonomics risk factors on young male workers in Malaysia
Authors: Shukor A
Published: March 2011

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are one of the occupational safety and health problems reported at the Driveshaft Assembly Line of an automotive manufacturer. During the study session, more than 20 workers on a single shift participated and each were interviewed, observed and measured. Risk assessment code and the rapid upper limb assessment method were used to estimate the hazards and risks levels respectively.

Results show that the workers spend on average, about 109.24 s (or 1.82 min) to completely assemble one piece of drive shaft. Out of this, 33.18 s (about 30.3%) was allocated for lifting and carrying the driveshaft from one station to another. This activity is identified as one of the main cause for the development of WMSD. Another crucial cause of the pain from the waist/hip upward is the fact that these workers have to perform their task in a standing posture for about 2 h to 2.5 h per session in one shift. It was calculated that for each shift, about 2200 pieces of drive shaft that weights at least 7.244 kg each were assembled.

Based on the study, it is clearly shown that these workers were suffering from poor working conditions, manual lifting and insertion activities. Overall, the results of this study suggest that these young workers need to be provided with proper work techniques and engineering administration in order to reduce the risks of developing severe WMSD in the future as well as physiological and psychological stresses.