bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuberculous cerebellar abscess in immunocompetent individuals: Figure 1
Authors: Roopesh Kumar V R , Gundamaneni Sudheer Kumar , Biswas Rakhi , Madhugiri Venkatesh S
Published: October 2012

Tubercular abscess of the brain is a rare form of central nervous system tuberculosis. These lesions usually occur in the supratentorial compartment. They are associated with a state of immune deficiency. We report two immunocompetent individuals with tubercular abscess of the cerebellum and discuss the management of these lesions.
Rare manifestation of Behcet's syndrome: insight from multimodality cardiovascular imaging
Authors: Malik Azhar Ali , Halabi Abdul Munem , Jamil Gohar , Qureshi Anwer
Published: October 2012

A young Jordanian man was hospitalised with fever of 2 months duration. Preadmission diagnostic assessment including CT thorax and abdomen were inconclusive. Right-sided pleuritic chest pain was present on admission. Pulmonary embolism was suspected on a ventilation/perfusion lung scan. Lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis was, however, absent. Echocardiogram to exclude a cardiac source of pulmonary embolism showed a right ventricle mass which was also present on retrospective review of prehospitalisation CT thorax. Tissue characterisation of this mass on cardiac MRI was not helpful. Empiric anticoagulation was started without reduction in size at 3 weeks. Due to ongoing diagnostic uncertainty, surgical resection was performed. Histopathology confirmed this mass to be a thrombus. With unabated fever, right ventricular thrombosis with pulmonary embolism and cutaneous and scrotal ulceration which evolved later in the hospital course, a diagnosis of Bechet's syndrome was considered and subsequently confirmed. Response to immunosuppressive therapy was prompt.
DOES PRE-LICENSED DRIVING EXPERIENCE AFFECT CRASH RISK AS AN UNSUPERVISED RESTRICTED LICENSED DRIVER? FINDINGS FROM THE NEW ZEALAND DRIVERS STUDY
Authors: Begg D , Langley J , Brookland R , Gulliver P , Ameratunga S
Published: October 2012

Background

There is a popular notion that driving experience before commencing licensing may help improve driver safety as a newly licensed driver. The limited empirical evidence available suggests that the opposite may be the case.

Aim

To examine the relationship between on and off road pre-licensed driving experience and crash risk as an unsupervised restricted licensed driver.

Methods

The New Zealand Drivers Study (NZDS) - a prospective cohort study – included 1,424 15-24 year old drivers who completed study-specific interviews at each licence stage (learner, restricted and full) of the graduated licensing process. Pre-licensed driving experience, car/motorcycle use both on and off road, demographic and behavioural data were obtained at the learner licence interview. Car driving exposure data was obtained at restricted and full licence interviews. Crash data sources were police traffic crash reports and self-reports.

Results

Using multivariate logistic regression, after controlling for potential confounders (driving exposure, gender, residential location, alcohol, cannabis, herbal high use, impulsivity, sensation seeking, aggression/hostility), off road motorcycle use (OR=1.9) was the only pre-licensed driving behaviour associated with crash risk

Contribution to the Field

Overall, pre-licensed driving experience did not affect crash risk when unsupervised driving was allowed, although off road motorcycling may increase risk.
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR DROWNING PREVENTION IN AN EXPANSION SITE IN DAGUPAN CITY, PHILIPPINES
Authors: Basilio JA , Guevarra JP , Orbillo L , Go JJ
Published: October 2012

Background

From 2009 to 2010, drowning prevention interventions were implemented in two pilot sites in the cities of Dagupan and Lingayen. With the support of the local leadership, these initiatives proved to be worthwhile endeavours in support of the Child Injury Prevention Programme of the Department of Health (DOH), Philippines. With the successful implementation of interventions in the pilot sites, the DOH embarked on an expansion project to another community in the City of Dagupan. It is hoped that this will contribute to the decrease in the incidents of drowning in the expansion site.

Objective

To develop and implement evidence-based interventions for drowning prevention in the community.

Methods

Qualitative data collection techniques such as Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Review of Records, and Community Walk-throughs were used.

Results

Using the Haddon Matrix, findings revealed several factors that may have led to incidents of drowning in the community. Results were presented to the village members and priority interventions were implemented from September to December 2011. Village Drowning Prevention Committee was formed, capability-building activities were done, barriers were constructed and open dug wells were reconstructed and covered. It is hoped that these interventions will address drowning incidents in the community.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Different community drowning prevention strategies were implemented such as formation of drowning prevention committee, barriers (door, house, backyard), training programmes, reconstruction and covering of wells.
INCEPTION RESULT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SENTINEL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM ON DROWNING IN THE COMMUNITY FROM 6 TO 12/2011
Authors: Khieu TQT , Luong MA , Tran TNL
Published: October 2012

Background

Drowning is the second leading cause of death related injury. However, collecting and reporting data of drowning is not adequate. Factors associated with drowning have not been thoroughly examined.

Objective and method

use of cross-sectional descriptive method to describe the status and risks of drowning. Interviewers interviewed all drowned deceased' relatives or near-drowned people.

Results

Total drowning cases within 6 months was 312. Deaths were accounted for 39.1%. Drowning occurred mostly in age group 0–4 with 26.29%; followed by age group 5–9 and 10–14 with 21.47% and 18.9%, respectively. 43.27% of drowning cases happened in the area inside home. Drowning in children from 0 to 4 seemed to occur inside home in compare to outside home. 82.22% of place of drowning at home was pond (based on local custom, making ponds inside home brings luckiness). 90.96% of ponds, lakes or rivers do not have warning signs. 25.32% of people with drowning can swim. Among them, 21.5% of cases occurred due to cramp. 71.15% of people received first aid after drowning. 56.1% of people had adequate knowledge on drowning prevention.

Significance

The study recommends strengthen first aid for drowning, make warning board and fence around watery place, well practice or massage of calves before swimming to prevent cramp, improve IEC on drowning prevention and promote the quality of drowning surveillance system.
COSTING OF INJURY: A POWERFUL PERSUADER TO INITIATE PLANNING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: Verma PK
Published: October 2012

Background

Cost-effectiveness of injury prevention programme can only be realised if injury prevention strategies cost is compared with injury burden cost.

Objective

Calculate cost of injury.

Methods

Cost calculation based on injury data collected from 30 554(urban), 1095(rural) population and 5500 injured victims treated in hospital of Delhi.

Results

Cost per injury was Rs. 674.1/minor injury, Rs. 2480.0/moderate injury, Rs. 14 620.4/severe injury, Rs. 16 666.7/critical injury and Rs.55 000.0/maximum injury. Average cost was Rs. 2627.2 in urban area. Cost among rural population was Rs. 639/injury. Cost in government hospital was Rs. 4778/injured. 9.8% injuries in rural and 24.5% injuries in urban area were treated in government hospitals. Average cost calculated for each injury including expenditure by individuals and government was Rs. 3798.2 (US$ 82.6) for urban area and Rs.1107.4 (US$ 24.1) for rural area. The possibility of annual expenditure on injury by each individual was Rs. 277.7 in urban area (cost per injury Rs. 3798.2×incidence of injury 0.0731) and Rs. 103.0 per year in rural area (cost per injury Rs.1107.4×incidence of injury 0.093). So out of annual per capita income of Rs. 3120.0 (US$ 67.8) in India, 8.9% per capita income in urban area and 3.3% per capita income in rural area was invested on injury. GNP loss of India due to injury was 124.1 billions Indian rupees or US$ 2.7 billions.

Significance

It is a must to ascertain burden of injury in terms of cost or loss of gross nation product to initiate an injury prevention programme.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL BASED INJURY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM IN JIANGSU, CHINA
Authors: Yang J , Zhang Y , Zhang X , Wu M
Published: October 2012

Background

Child injuries have been a significant public health problem worldwide. Although information technology is becoming the backbone of all injury surveillance systems, many child injury data collections are resource intensive, especially in less-developed areas.

Objectives

To describe the epidemiological profile for injured school children using the School Based Injury Surveillance System (SBISS) established in Jiangsu Province of China; and to demonstrate this SBISS is a useful tool to overcome resource deficiencies and to improve child injury prevention at schools.

Methods

The SBISS employs a network-based electronic reporting system for public schools in Jiangsu, and adopts WHO standardised injury scales to collect injury information for school children graded 1–12. It uses available resources and makes documentation readily available for schools. Data are entered online at schools and verifications are conducted manually. We collected data for injured children aged 6–18 years during September 2011 to June 2012 to describe the distributions of injury severity, mechanisms, injured body regions, place of occurrence, and activity when injured.

Results

The SBISS now covers 1.8% school children in Jiangsu and reported 2358 injuries to date. The morbidity of injuries was 4.16%. Among all injuries, about 6.4% lost their lives or disabled or function limited. Falls was the principal injury mechanisms accounting for 49.9% in total, followed by sharp injuries (22.6%). Lower limbs were the most common injured body regions, accounting for 38.3%. The majority of children were injured at classroom and school playground while doing sports and entertainment activities.

Significance

The SBISS provides efficient and quality injury information, speeds up the administration process, and lessens workforce allocation. Timely programmes addressing local injury among children are likely to benefit this E-reporting data collection.
THE SAFETY INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE PROVIDED TO PARENTS BY ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE DEALERS AND SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Authors: Jennissen C
Published: October 2012

Background

Since April 2009, the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act requires that new ATVs be subject to an action plan prescribing steps makers and sellers must take to ensure safety, such as rider training, distribution of safety information, and appropriate age recommendation.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To determine the practice of dealers and salespersons with regards to promoting safe ATV use.

Methods

A ‘secret buyer’ method was utilised to evaluate ATV seller practices.

Results/Outcomes

50 ATV dealerships from 4 states were studied. 35 subjects (70%) were willing to show and discuss selling an adult-sized ATV when told that the purchase was for a 12-year-old. Seven (14%) responded with comments that ATVs should have no extra riders when the investigator made statements about the adequacy of a seat being long enough for a child to give a sibling rides. Only one subject informed about the need for a 12-year-old to complete ATV safety training to drive in a public ATV park when prompted.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

In this study, most ATV sellers did not follow requirements regarding age recommendation or provide other safety information. Those that did often voiced concerns about possible negative repercussions from violations. Dealership regulation compliance may increase with on-going enforcement. However, a ‘don't ask, don't tell’ relationship between seller and buyer was alluded to during the study in which sellers don't ask and buyers don't tell they are purchasing a larger machine for a child. This practice would limit the impact of regulation enforcement.
THE NEW TOBACCO—TACTICS ADOPTED BY QUAD BIKE MANUFACTURERS TO NOT ROLLOVER
Authors: Lower T
Published: October 2012

Background

Quad bikes are the leading cause of fatal injury in Australian farm settings. A major issue has been manufacturers' resistance to improve the design of their products in relation to stability and protection in the event of a rollover.

Aim

This paper provides a summary of the similarities between the tactics adopted by the quad bike manufacturers' in resisting change and that of the tobacco industry.

Method

Historical document review and source information from key stakeholders.

Results

Both industries have established grandiosely titled ‘institutes’ to garner public respect and commissioned ‘independent’ research to assess and present data supporting their stance. While the quality of the ‘independent’ findings has been shown to be invalid, they have continued to perpetuate these results. Extensive advertising is used to open new markets and ensnare customers for life (particularly children). Both have incessantly lobbied governments and other agencies, playing on cries of ‘nanny state’. Most alarmingly, their emphasis has been that people know the risks associated with these products and can choose to make their own decisions. However, no credence is given to the fact that the design of both products is flawed and fundamentally unsafe when used.

Significance

As occurred with the tobacco industry, well-planned, evidence-based and persistent action can be used to negate these tactics by multi-national quad bike manufacturers.
CLOSING THE GAP: PROGRESSING FROM INJURY PREVENTION RESEARCH TO SAFETY PROMOTION PRACTICE
Authors: Hanson D , Finch C , Allegrante J , Sleet D
Published: October 2012

Background

The application of the public health model to injury prevention starts with:

1. establishing the magnitude of the problem

2. identifying risk factors

3. developing effective interventions

4. disseminating them

Unfortunately most research does not result in widespread dissemination of effective interventions.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

This paper describes and addresses the barriers that impede the implementation of effective injury prevention interventions.

Methods

Literature review.

Results/Outcome

Several gaps between injury prevention research and safety promotion practice are identified:

• the efficacy and effectiveness gap (a scientific problem),

• the research to practice gap (an implementation problem),

• the injury prevention to safety promotion gap (a political problem).

These gaps stem from the contrasting approaches researchers, policy makers, practitioners and the community take to the scientific, practical, and social challenges posed by the contextual complexity of injury. Some researchers believe that stages 1–3 constitute the real scientific work of injury prevention arguing that Stage 4, dissemination and adoption, can essentially be delegated to practitioners who merely have to apply their research findings. This approach underestimates the importance of the contextual determinants of success.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Three types of experts are required to design effective interventions capable of dissemination into the wider community:

• researchers (content experts),

• practitioners (process experts)

• the target community itself (context experts).

From the outset, an open transdisciplinary dialogue that synthesises the expertise of all stakeholders is required to design effective interventions that can be applied in the real world.
TRACKING THE TRENDS—HOW NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT USES DATA AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION TO DRIVE ITS INTERNATIONAL SAFE COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
Authors: Forde K , Maskill C , Archer B
Published: October 2012

Background

New Plymouth District, population 69 000, is an accredited International Safe Community. The safe community programme is led by a coalition of agencies in the form of a charitable trust, known as New Plymouth injurySafe (NPiS). One of its key functions is ensuring the community is informed and consulted on priorities for injury prevention and safety promotion. In 2011, NPiS commissioned a comprehensive community injury needs assessment report, the third such report, following on from the first in 2001 and the second in 2006.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

The objectives of the research were: to provide statistics on injury patterns and trends and consult stakeholders on priorities and strategies; and to reflect on the value of the safe community programme to date.

Methods

Researchers conducted statistical analysis, a literature review, stakeholder interviews, an email survey and issue-specific focus groups.

Results/Outcomes

The three injury needs assessments provide a wide-ranging set of local injury statistics extending back over 20 years for some data. While acknowledging the limitations of relying on data to assess the impact of the safe community programme, encouraging trends are identified, including the district's comparatively low all-age injury hospitalisation rates during the period the programme has been functioning. The presentation will describe how each of the three reports has helped to shape the safe community programme.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The reports are shown to be a major resource for the district and an enabler for injury prevention action.
PLANNING SAFER SUBURBS? THE INFLUENCE OF CHANGE IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT ON RESDIENTS' PERCEIVED SAFETY FROM CRIME
Authors: Foster S , Christian H , Wood L , Giles-Corti B
Published: October 2012

Background

Neighbourhoods that promote natural surveillance may support greater feelings of safety; yet few empirical studies have explored the relationship between suburban planning and residents' perceived safety.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To examine whether changes to the built environment that promote pedestrian movement influence residents' perceived safety from crime.

Methods

The RESIDential Environments (RESIDE) study is a longitudinal study of people moving into new neighbourhoods (n=74) in Perth, Western Australia. Participants (n=1420) completed a questionnaire before moving to their new neighbourhood, and again 12 months after relocation. Objective environmental measures were generated at both time points using Geographic Information Systems. Linear regression examined the influence of changes to the built and social environments on perceived safety, controlling for individual factors and suburb-level changes in crime.

Results/Outcomes

Resident's perceived safety increased after relocation (p =0.000). A decrease in vacant land improved perceived safety (p =0.042); and perceived improvements in traffic safety and street lighting, and declines in graffiti/vandalism were also determinants of increased perceived safety (p =0.000). Notably, increased social cohesion caused the greatest increase in perceived safety after relocation (p =0.000).

Significant/Contribution to the Field

Changes to the built environment had little impact on perceived safety, however participants typically moved to urban-fringe suburbs where infrastructure was still developing. Residents' changing perceptions were important influences on perceived safety, and community initiatives that improve social cohesion, street lighting and maintenance, and manage traffic may best promote perceived safety. Further follow-up is needed to investigate whether the observed relationships are related to the novelty of moving to a new neighbourhood.
SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF ROAD SAFETY POLICY IN EUROPE
Authors: Sethi D , Mitis F
Published: October 2012

Background

The UN and WHA resolutions on road safety and health and European policy have helped to raise road safety as a health priority. Members States in the WHO European Region are rising to the challenge but there are large inequalities between and within countries in the Region.

Purpose

To discuss the successes and failures of road safety policy in Europe.

Methods

Survey of health ministry focal persons and age standardised mortality rates.

Results

There is almost a 10 fold difference between the country with the highest and lowest age standardised mortality rate in Europe. Variation exists in the implementation of policies around speed control, seat-belt wearing, drink driving, helmet wearing and safer road infrastructure and vehicles. Generally countries in Northwest and Southwest Europe have had more success, with growing success in Central and Eastern Europe, and less success in Southern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Successful country examples will be discussed. At a European level, there is a correlation between front seat-belt wearing and mortality in car occupants adjusted for car ownership (r=−0.8), implying that successful implementation of this policy saves lives. Similarly there is an association between helmet wearing and deaths in motorcycle riders (r=−0.6).

Significance

This paper shows that whereas good progress is being made in road safety in Europe, many countries need to strive for more sustained implementation of policies. Many policies are transferrable; the reasons for the successes and failures of implementation are discussed. More widespread data on reliable indicators are needed.
‘WHY SOMETIMES I'VE BELIEVED AS MANY AS SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BEFORE BREAKFAST’: TRANSLATING CLINICAL EXPERIENCE INTO INJURY PREVENTION OUTCOMES
Authors: Barker R
Published: October 2012

Background

Clinicians in a variety of fields are at the receiving end of many injury incidents. Information relevant to preventing injury is often discussed, less often documented, and rarely acted upon other than after-the-fact behavioural advice to the patient or caregiver. The latter is due to many factors, including work load, lack of non-clinical time, lack of awareness of relevant injury prevention networks and a limited understanding of the complex frameworks that underpin community safety and injury prevention.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To describe how non-clinical injury prevention practitioners and clinical health practitioners can engage to develop stronger and more effective injury prevention partnerships.

Methods

The author works as an emergency paediatrician and directs the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit. In collaboration with a range of partners from diverse backgrounds, she has been able to deliver several injury prevention outcomes, across a variety of injury topics. The author also has experience in attempting to engage clinicians (nursing and medical) to participate in injury prevention activities.

Results/Outcome

The presentation will describe ways of collaborating across silos using recent injury prevention activities to illustrate how outcomes can be achieved. This will be presented under the following headings:

• Clinicians don't answer emails: collating clinical cases of lye water ingestion in Australia

• But the right answer is obvious: toddler falls from balconies and a quest to change the Australian Building code

• True injury surveillance: engaging families and clinicians in reporting product related injury

Significance/Contribution to the Field

This paper is a call for greater collaborative engagement between injury prevention practitioners and clinicians, in order to more effectively deliver injury prevention outcomes.
NEW ZEALAND ESTIMATES OF THE TOTAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COST OF INJURIES
Authors: O'ea D , Wren J
Published: October 2012

Background

The New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy (NZIPS) identifies six priority areas—assault, drowning, falls, motor vehicle traffic crashes, suicide/selfharm and work-related injury. Conservative and consistent cost estimates are required to monitor Strategy outcomes over time.

Objective

To estimate the total economic and social cost of injury, by priority area, for the years 2007 to 2010.

Methods

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers all injury in New Zealand. Treatment and rehabilitation costs and lost economic contribution from non-fatal injury are based on ACC expenditure data. Human costs are estimated using the value of a preventable fatality (willingness to pay), years of life lost, and disability adjusted life year ratios.

Results

The total cost of injury in New Zealand is NZ$10.2 billion. This comprises of $1.3 billion of treatment and rehabilitation costs, $1.9 billion of lost economic contribution and $7.1 billion of human costs (includes the cost of pain and suffering). Motor vehicle traffic crashes have the highest total cost, followed by suicide, then falls.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

This research provides a consistent set of cost estimates across the six government priority areas. It will be used to monitor progress against the New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy and to inform injury prevention cost benefit analyses.
EVALUATION OF THE CHILD SAFETY EDUCATION COALITION IN ENGLAND
Authors: Mulvaney C , Watson M , Errington G , Coupland C , Kendrick D , Walsh P
Published: October 2012

Background

In 2008 the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents was awarded £1.6m from the UK government to establish the Child Safety Education Coalition (CSEC). CSEC's role was to improve ‘the provision of practical safety education to give more children and young people the skills, knowledge and confidence to keep themselves safe’.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

A team from the University of Nottingham evaluated CSEC in terms of:

• its processes, such as establishing the coalition and working with partners

• its impact on increasing the provision of practical safety education

• its impact on those determinants of unintended injury which are amenable to change through practical safety education.

Methods

Multiple data collection methods were used: interviews of members, non-members and stakeholders, observations of meetings, questionnaires surveying members' practical safety education provision, case studies of members to illustrate practice, and international expert review of CSEC's achievements and future potential.

Results/Outcome

CSEC attracted a diverse membership of 129 organisations. Collaborative working facilitated the exchange of ideas. CSEC coordinators worked with members to develop the Resource Profiler and the Risk Competency Frameworks which members used to evaluate and improve their practical safety education and consequently the safety knowledge and skills of children. This collaboration also established new opportunities for providing practical safety education.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Coalitions provide a useful forum for members to enhance their own practice by learning from the experience of others. In the long term national coalitions have the potential to positively influence the provision of practical safety education.
ONE VOICE—SAFER CANADA: MERGING CANADA'S FOUR LARGEST INJURY PREVENTION ORGANISATIONS
Authors: Groff P , Kells P , Fuselli P , Nesdale-Tucker R
Published: October 2012

Background

Preventable injury kills more than 13 000 Canadians every year, or about 1.5 every hour. In addition to the devastating collateral damage to the person injured and their families the impact for all injury on Canada's economy is more than $19.8 billion each year.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

In January 2009, the leaders from four Canadian injury prevention organisations, Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK, and Think First Canada, began to discuss ways to collaborate to advance their collective mission.

Methods

A multi-phase study was conducted to examine how the four organisations might jointly identify, integrate, and approve shared initiatives in knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, fund development, and marketing—to speak with one voice.

Results/Outcome

The result of this research was a report, ‘One Voice—Safer Canada’. The key learning was that, at present, injury is a disease without an identity, largely because, unlike other major health causes, there is no single, dominant voice in Canada working to create it. Seven specific recommendations formed the core of this report. A transition steering committee composed of senior decision makers for the organisations crafted a plan to successfully integrate their operations into one entity.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

As of 1 July 2012 the organisations officially merged as Parachute, with the goal of becoming leaders in the field, educating, inspiring and mobilising Canadians to prevent injuries. The merger presents a unique opportunity to enrich programming, strengthen research, and increase strategic influence to be an impactful and resourceful organisation for all Canadians.
WOMEN'S SAFETY ISSUES IN EXPORT ZONES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF A GLOBALISED ECONOMY
Authors: LU JL
Published: October 2012

Background

Women dominate the labourforce in export zones which are multinational enclaves in the country. In this type of work, there are reports of safety issues that affect their health.

Objectives

This study tried to look into the occupational safety issues of women workers.

Methods

This investigated 630 women workers in 31 industries in export zones in the Philippines. Tools included work investigation, industrial hygiene and interviews.

Results

The study showed that technology has intensified work. The new work arrangements were seen to produce new hazards. The characteristics now of the new workplace are: information technology intensive work, fast pace of work, the need for upskilling, burnout, chronic sleep debt, and superspeed communications. Accidents were a common sight in factories. The women reported the following accidents in the workplace for the past one-year: eye infection due to dust and wounds due to sharp objects. The more severe forms of accidents were falling (14%), electrical accidents (6.3%) and being caught in the machine (17.3%). The latter was the most common form of amputation of any body part.

Significance

The contribution of this study to the field is to show that with the growing internationalisation of work and economies of nation states, women's involvement in the labour market has increased their vulnerability to hazards and injuries where consequent safety programmes are not implemented.
RISK FACTORS OF HEAT STROKE IN ACTIVE DUTY US ARMY SOLDIERS, 2002–2007
Authors: Hill O , Leon L , McKinnon C
Published: October 2012

Background

Heat stroke (HS) is a serious civilian and military medical condition and the incidence of this potentially fatal condition has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Many of the risk factors that increase HS susceptibility are well-recognised, but ∼35% of cases occur in low-risk personnel practicing sound heat mitigation procedures.

Purpose

We hypothesised that pre-existing infection/inflammation is an independent HS risk factor (RF). We identified all clinically presenting HS cases in the US Active Duty Army (ADA) (2002–2007) to examine further.

Methods

Utilising the Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database (TAIHOD), which contains ADA personnel and health data, we: (1) Captured absolute numbers and rates of HS and RF of interest (2) Developed models to determine the independent contribution of RF and assess significance. HS case was an ICD-9-CM code of 992.0. Soldier characteristics examined include: Gender, age, race, marital status, education, deployment history, and length of service.

Results

The OR for developing HS were elevated in Soldier's diagnosed (w/in 60 days) with the following conditions: Gastroenteritis (OR 4.48, 95% CI 2.29 to 10.40) Skin disorders (OR 4.21, 95% CI 2.06 to 8.50); Pharyngitis (OR 3.74, 95% CI 2.23 to 6.20); Bronchitis (OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.19 to 12.50), and prior heat injury (w/in 2 years) (OR 37.20, 95% CI 19.50 to 71.20).

Significance

Soldiers with a recent diagnosis of Gastroenteritis, Skin disorders, Pharyngitis, Bronchitis and prior heat injury (w/in 2 years) appear more susceptible to HS, likely due to augmented hyperthermia or deactivation of protective molecular pathways. HS prevention programmes should target these at-risk Soldier sub-populations.
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES IN THE PREVENTION OF NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Authors: Laird I , McBride D , Legg S , Dickinson P , McLaren S , Gardner D
Published: October 2012

Background

This paper reports on the second part of a major study in New Zealand to identify effective strategies for the prevention of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

The objective of the project was to evaluate existing work-related interventions to reduce NIHL, to identify critical factors in the development and implementation of such strategies, and to propose strategies/interventions where current interventions are considered ineffective. In addition, the research examined those aspects of workplace culture that affect decision-making around NIHL.

Methods

A systematic review of the research literature was completed specifically focussing on the effectiveness of interventions in the prevention of NIHL. Data collection involved surveys of specific industry sectors with ‘high, medium and low’ risk of NIHL. In addition to area noise measurements and personal dosimetry, assessments of the organisation's conformance to current noise management standards and safety climate data were undertaken.

Results/Outcome

Five key effective strategies were identified from the literature. As anticipated, area and personal noise exposures were found to vary considerably within the ‘high risk’ (agriculture, manufacturing and construction; range: LAeq 8 h 80–90 dB), ‘moderate risk’ (cafes and restaurants) and ‘low risk’ sectors (pre-schools; range LAeq 8 h 70–80 dB). Most enterprises surveyed did not conform to the specific requirements of the noise management standard (Code of Practice). Safety climate was not the major factor in noise management within the enterprises.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The research provided disappointing evidence on the implementation of noise management strategies in NZ businesses. As a consequence of the research, a comprehensive multi-level intervention strategy is proposed.
RISK FACTORS FOR FATALITIES IN SMALL UNDERGROUND COAL MINES IN THE U.S.
Authors: Weeks J , Swedler D , Pollack K , Agnew J
Published: October 2012

Background

The rate of fatal injuries for small underground coal mines (≤20 employees) has consistently been greater than the rate at larger mines. Despite differences between small and large mine characteristics, questions remain regarding reasons for the fatality differences.

Objective

Explore whether small mines operated more intermittently than large mines, to determine if operational instability contributes to fatalities.

Methods

A case control study using data from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration from 1983 to 2006. Case mines (fatality; n = 139) were identified by the quarter in which a fatality occurred. Control mines (no fatality) were randomly selected (5:1), without replacement, and were matched with case mines if they were operating during the quarter in which the fatality occurred. Student's matched t-test was used to analyze differences between cases and controls for each of the four quarters prior to the fatality for key factors. Matched logistic regression analyses were also used.

Results

There were no significant differences between cases and controls in the number of employees, hours per employee, or productivity for any of the four quarters prior to the fatality. Recent periods of low productivity, followed by the addition of new workers and an increase in hours worked, were found to be associated with an increased risk of fatality.

Significance

Results support the implications of a sudden increase in workforce size, overtime, and workload, presumably, to respond to increased needs for coal. Prevention strategies and policies are needed to address risks from operational instability and excess production.
MOTORCYCLE HELMET WEARING IN VIET NAM: LEGISLATION, COMPLIANCE AND CURRENT CHALLENGES
Authors: Passmore J , Phuong Nam N
Published: October 2012

Background

With motorcycles representing 95% of Viet Nam's 33 million vehicles, safety for this vulnerable user group is of crucial importance. Motorcycle helmets are an effective road safety intervention that has been implemented to various degrees in Viet Nam since 1995. Previous attempts were largely unsuccessful until the mandatory law took effect from 15 December 2007.

Purpose

To review the history of motorcycle helmet legislation in Viet Nam including factors that have contributed to or impeded successful implementation and current challenges and potential solutions.

Methods

Various sources of information were utilised including primary and secondary data on helmet wearing and road trauma, Vietnamese road safety legislative documents and personal communication with key local road safety stakeholders.

Results

More than 15 000 road traffic fatalities were reported in 2010 of which an estimated 75% are motorcycle riders and passengers. With the implementation of the national law in 2007, wearing increased from approximately 42% to more than 99% in select locations and importantly has been maintained. Whilst information is limited, small but significant reductions in the number of head injuries have been reported since the introduction of the law. Enforceability of helmet wearing for child passengers as well as the quality of helmets remain major ongoing challenges.

Significance

Road trauma is a leading cause of death in Viet Nam, however the successful introduction of mandatory helmet legislation is a major milestone for improving road safety and represents important experience for other low and middle income countries where a large proportion travel by motorcycle.
TRAUMATIC SUBTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES. CLASSIFICATION, INTERVENTION, COMPLICATIONS AND PATIENT OUTCOMES
Authors: Gosling C , Richardson M , Brown G , Hau R , Pirpiris M , Edwards E
Published: October 2012

Background and Aim

Femoral fracture outcomes studies have focused on fractures of the femoral neck, shaft and distal femur. The aim of this study was to describe subtrochanteric fractures collected consecutively in a trauma registry, and to report the treatment methods and patient outcomes at 12-months.

Methods

Data for all patients with an ICD-10 injury code for femur below the level of neck of femur admitted between May 2005 and June 2009 were obtained from the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry database. Data were collected at baseline (patient, injury, x-ray and hospital details) and at 12-months (bony union, complications, health related quality of life—short form-12 summary scores for physical and mental component summary (PCS-12, MCS-12)).

Results

Subtrochanteric femoral fractures were identified in 124 patients from 884 fracture codes (54% female; average (SD) age=58.6(25.9) years). Low falls were the most common cause of injury (44%), with most (65%) of the cases recording isolated femoral fractures. Most patients underwent fixation using an intramedullary sliding hip screw (55%). Fracture union was confirmed in 69 patients (average union time: 223.7 days). Non-union was identified in 45% and 16% of the cases followed-up at 6 and 12-months respectively. Complications were identified in 38% of the reviewed cases. Physical function scores (PCS-12: 38.4(10.6)) were lower than population scores, while mental function scores were similar (MCS-12: 49.3(12.4)).

Significance

The long time to union outcomes and high complication rates in this registry based consecutive cohort study is not consistent with the reported literature.
USING CROWD-SOURCING TO DRIVE INNOVATION IN INJURY PREVENTION—RESULTS OF A PILOT PROGRAMME
Authors: Murray N , Langlands G
Published: October 2012

Background

Injuries outside of work and road make up 80% of claims to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), about half of which are for injuries sustained in a fall. ACC claims data showed that the working-age population account for 60% of the cost of falls, yet there are very few evidence-based interventions available for falls prevention in this population group. ACC trialled using crowd-sourcing techniques to generate new falls prevention ideas.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

Develop an innovation programme, to engage with a range of people not traditionally associated with injury prevention to generate a number of novel ideas to trial and where successful roll out nationally.

Methods

ACC launched the Idea Nation initiative which employed a number of crowd-sourcing initiatives including; brainstorming forums, a national competition and online collaboration to build up raw ideas.

Results/Outcome

The initiative is still live, so final results are not available at the time of presentation, however early findings are encouraging. Preliminary results indicate that crowd-sourcing can be effectively used to engage with the community and generate new ideas to injury issues.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The Idea Nation initiative will interest those working in and developing injury prevention and community engagement programmes.
ASSESSING FIELDWORKER RELIABILITY IN A NATIONAL STUDY OF INJURY MORTALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Matzopoulos R , Prinsloo M , Laubscher R , Gwebushe N , Pillay-Van Wyk V , Bradshaw D
Published: October 2012

Background

Vital registration data indicate that injury deaths have decreased since the first National Burden of Disease (NBD) study in South Africa for 2000 but it is not clear which injury types may have been affected as a high proportion have undetermined intent. In order to quantity injury types, as part of the second NBD study, we conducted a national survey of non-natural deaths presenting to South African mortuaries in 2009.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To test inter-observer reliability between fieldworkers.

Methods

Lay interviewers were trained to identify the external cause of injury and mobile telephones were used for data capture. The main study sampled 22 000 records from 45 mortuaries. Reliability was tested by two field-workers independently collecting data from the same folder on the same day for 5% of the sample. The proportion of potential agreement beyond chance between two data collectors extracting the same data was determined using the Kappa score, with a value of 0.6 denoting substantial and a value of greater than 0.8 denoting near perfect agreement.

Results/Outcome

Based on data from 1025 cases, the agreement on the manner of death showed high agreement with a Kappa of 0.861 (95% CI 0.837 to 0.884). There was 88.8% agreement on the detailed information about the external cause of the injury death.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Fieldworker coding errors are a potential source of bias in injury surveys, particularly when information is interpreted from secondary sources. The current study provides a simple and cost-effective method with which to measure the reliability of information.
UNINTENTIONAL INJURY MORTALITY IN INDIA, 2005: NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE MORTALITY SURVEY OF 1.1 MILLION HOMES
Authors: Jagnoor J , Suraweera W , Keay L , Ivers R , Thakur J,S , Jha, P
Published: October 2012

Background

Unintentional injuries are an important cause of death in India. However, no reliable nationally representative estimates of unintentional injury deaths are available.

Aim

To estimate total unintentional injury mortality in India using results from a nationally representative survey of the causes of deaths.

Methods

Unintentional injury deaths were examined in a nationally representative mortality survey covering 123 000 deaths occurring in 1.1 million homes. Trained non-medical field staff to interview all households in which a death had occurred from 2001 to 2003 within its Sample Registration System. Structured field reports detailing the events preceding death were obtained from living relatives of the deceased and emailed to two of 130 trained physicians who independently assigned an underlying cause to each death. Cause specific mortality proportions were applied to all-cause mortality estimates from the United Nations for the year 2005.

Results

In the year 2005, unintentional injury caused 648 000 deaths (7% of all deaths; 58/100 000 population). Mortality rates were higher among males than females, and in rural versus urban areas. Road traffic injuries (185 000 deaths; 29% of unintentional injury deaths), falls (160 000 deaths, 25%) and drowning (73 000 deaths, 11%) were the three leading causes of unintentional injury mortality. The highest unintentional mortality rates were in those aged 70 years or older (410/100 000) mostly due to falls.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF, AND SURVEILLANCE OF, MEDIA WORKER HOMICIDE IN IRAQ (2003–2011)
Authors: Collinson L , Wilson N
Published: October 2012

Background

There is controversy over estimates of the civilian death toll associated with violent conflict in Iraq.

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of media worker homicide in Iraq in order to describe its relationship with the homicide level for all civilians (and to identify risk factors).

Methods

Data on the homicides occurring from 2003 to 2011 were systematically collated from five international databases and analysed.

Results

In this time period, the annual number of homicides of media workers rose (peaking at n=47 in 2007) and then declined (n=9 in 2011). The peak years (2006–2007) for media worker homicides matched the peak years for estimated civilian fatalities. Out of a total of 194 homicides, 85% were Iraqi nationals and 61% worked for Iraqi media agencies (the latter increased over time relative to the first 5-year time period, p=0.02). Some were killed whilst reporting (36%), but most (64%), were targeted in other settings (eg, when commuting or at home). Common perpetrators were: political groups (51%), and coalition forces (9%), but this was often unknown (27%). None of the homicides during this period have been legally ‘solved’. For each targeted attack causing a media worker homicide, another two people were also killed on average (range 0–85).

Significance

The relatively high quality of data on media worker homicides, suggests that routine surveillance of this sentinel population may provide an indicator of trends in societal violence. But in itself media worker homicide in Iraq is a major problem that needs urgent preventive measures.
THE NATIONAL CORONIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM: A DECADE OF CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Authors: Pearse J
Published: October 2012

Background

New Zealand coronial data will soon be added to the Australian collection of reported deaths on the National Coroners Information system (NCIS). Data from this internet-based system are accessible to approved users to inform death investigations and public health and safety.

Aim/Objectives/Purpose

To review progress and barriers to meeting NCIS objectives and to highlight achievements based on NCIS data.

Methods

Reviews were conducted of user outcomes, coroners' findings, information requests, and a literature search to identify and quantify NCIS uptake. Barriers to progress were assessed in terms of inconsistencies in data, timeliness, availability of attached reports and coding errors.

Results/Outcome

More than 50 journal publications were found to be based on NCIS data, and there have been many resulting citations. NCIS data has influenced policy, regulation and safety campaigns in the areas of self-extinguishing cigarettes, child blind cord strangulation, and mobility scooters. In terms of barriers, to date only four of eight Australian jurisdictions are using a standardised national police form, between 20 and 30% of cases quality assured have at least one coding inconsistency needing correction, and some jurisdictions are not yet providing comprehensive full documentation for system attachment.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Despite being a relatively mature information system, the NCIS has scope for further development. The system is widely used and has contributed to a considerable body of research and publications and has impacted on important regulations and policies.