bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of violence on African-American teenagers' health-related quality of life, as measured by the SF-36
Authors: Ingels JB , Corso PS
Published: October 2012

Background

Exposure to violence affects an individual's overall health. For example, reductions in the mental health and social functioning domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) strongly correlate with domestic violence.

Purpose

There is a gap in the literature on the influence violence on HRQoL for African-American teenagers in particular.

Methods

African-American teenagers (N=491) enrolled in a behavioural intervention self-reported during waves of data collection, beginning at age (mean) 16.0 through age (mean) 18.5, exposure to violent crime, propensity for aggression, perpetration of violence, and dimensions of HRQoL as defined by the SF-36. We used a fixed-effects linear regression model to investigate the impact of being a violence victim or perpetrator on each of the eight dimensions and two component summary scales of the SF-36, while controlling for high depressive symptoms and socio-economic risk status. Differences are significant at a p<0.05.

Results

Considering the eight dimensions of HRQoL, for victims we found a significant reduction in the ‘role-limitations’ domain for victims and, for perpetrators we found a significant decrease in the ‘role-limitations’ and ‘mental health’ domains. Regarding the component summary scales, for perpetrators we found significant decreases in both the physical and mental summary scales.

Significance

Our results agree with other published studies that suggest violence significantly decreases a victim's overall mental health. However, for violence victimisation and perpetration, we found that violence might also impair African-American teenagers' ability to handle ‘normal or usual daily activities,’ which may indicate that violence interferes with their societal and household productivity.
I have a bone to pick with you: the challenge of addressing dog-related injury in a rural community
Authors: Dooley Rhiannon
Published: October 2012

Background

Sarina, a rural community with a regional population of 12 000, is serviced by Mackay Safe Communities Network (MSCN). MSCN was established in 2000 to address high injury rates regionally. Dog-related injuries contribute to these rates, increasing with rurality, and disproportionately impacting on vulnerable populations (eg, children; elderly). An investigation into dog-related injuries in Sarina was initiated.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

The aim was to determine the incidence of roaming dogs and the prevalence of dog-related injuries.

Methods

Data on dog-related injury presentations to Sarina Hospital was obtained from Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit. Discussions with local government determined dog registration rates and the workload of the dog catchment team. Focus groups (Indigenous residents; seniors; mothers with young children); key stakeholder interviews (health professionals; community workers; state government representatives); and a convenience survey were conducted to examine causes. A literature search was conducted to identify interventions implemented in rural communities aimed at reducing the injury risk associated with dogs.

Results/Outcome

Fears about reporting roaming dogs, dog-related injuries and near attacks emerged through community consultations as a barrier to implementing a community-wide intervention. Community members held fears for dogs' wellbeing (particularly if the dog belonged to a friend or neighbour); and fears of reprisal from dog owners.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Evidence on interventions to reduce the risk of dog-related injury is limited and the application of many evidence-based interventions would be inappropriate, and unlikely to succeed in a rural community unless they are able to meet the identified barrier to intervention.
Youth boredom busting summer projects 2012
Authors: Williams Wayne
Published: October 2012

Background

NZ Communities recognise that our lengthy 2-month summer school holiday is a major contributor to our 15–18 year olds getting bored. Youth jobs are scarce and by late January many parents are back at work and youth left at home. Congregating is seen as an answer to the boredom and some gatherings will eventually lead to an involvement in anti-social behaviour.

Objective

To create ‘Service Learning Experiences’ within the community for 15–18-year-olds. Research shows youth volunteer projects achieve best success compared to other projects when looking to reduce anti-social behaviour.1Youth involved in positive activities may develop a better understanding of negative activities.

Method

Stakeholders identified, planning workshop and Steering Group formed. Needs Assessment conducted and delivery strategy developed. 8 projects created and media promulgation. Registrations received and acknowledged with project details.

Results

One project was cancelled prior to commencement. We managed 74 placements in the supervised projects from 41 registrations. After the first day volunteers were keen to participate in other projects in the subsequent days. All but one completed their projects. Each completed an evaluation of the project and received a participation certificate to reflect the community contribution. Most volunteers came from two secondary schools and from one church group.

Conclusions

Youth prefer hands-on activity over indoor non-active learning activities. At-risk youth were noticeably absent. We were unable to gather comments from the at-risk youth so no conclusion was reached regarding anti-social behaviour.

1Presenting Multiple Risky Behaviours Among Adolescents: seven Strategies. Terzian, Andrews & Moore.
Assumed enablers, actual barriers: challenging the stereotypes of rural communities
Authors: Dooley Rhiannon
Published: October 2012

Background

Sarina is a complex community with sugar and mining industries; a strong identity; a relaxed coastal lifestyle; and a diverse population. High injury rates in Sarina led to investigations into the safety barriers in the community, contesting many existing stereotypes. Following this, a multi-strategy approach to injury prevention, with cross sectional partnerships has sought to address long-standing injury issues in Sarina.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

Aiming to create change at a population level, a combination of strategies has been implemented in Sarina to respond to injury priorities at a local level.

Methods

Organisational commitment has enabled a driven workforce the capacity to address emerging injury concerns. The community has been supported to develop solutions to existing injury concerns, for example, to conduct site assessments of the local environment to explore safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. The identification of a literature gap—appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of dog bites in a rural community—encourages future injury prevention research. Providing strength and balance activities has increased the ability of older residents to reduce their risk of falls. Advocating for the upgrading and maintaining of community facilities and infrastructure has reduced the risk of injury at a population level.

Results/Outcome

Identifying and challenging initial stereotypes about Sarina enables the implementation of a finely tuned injury prevention response.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

To successfully implement injury prevention strategies, assumptions about safety barriers and enablers in the intervention community must be identified and challenged.
Safe community movement in Serbia
Authors: Milankov M , Radovanovic M , Mitrovic D
Published: October 2012

Background

In Serbia Safe Community programme has started in 2004. With first activities NGO Safe Community and continue with activities National centre for injury prevention and safety promotion from Novi Sad.

Aims

To improve quality of live and injury prevention.

Methods

Health promotion activities—Cooperation with the police station and activities related to the traffic, activities related to the safety at home and in public places, education and prevention of injuries at workplaces and at sport activities.

Results

There are a lot different activities like: Safe and healthy mother—Safe and healthy child; Parent as a role models; The school of parenthood; Places that are and places that aren't playgrounds; Call 92, 93, 94—emergency phone line; How to behave when alone at home; First aid; Introducing to persons whom we can ask for help on the street; The volunteer fire department offers fire safety courses to the municipalities. Activities for safe moving of the disabled persons and their inclusion, marking the side walks and lowering the edges of the sidewalks, reconstruction of the access and placing slopes; SOS phone line and education and trainings on violence prevention; Suicide prevention project- Before crossing the fence call and etc.

Significance

Two designated Safe Communities, Municipality of Backi Petrovac (2008) and City of Novi Sad (2009) and Affiliate Safe Community Support Centre (2009), First regional South eastern Europe Safe Community Conference (2009), South Eastern Europe Safe Community Network (2009), Safe Kids Serbia (2012).
The flood disaster in rural Bangladesh: magnitude of injuries and parental violence in children
Authors: Animesh Biswas , Aminur Rahman , Rahman Mashreky Saidur , Fazlur Rahman , Koustuv Dalal
Published: October 2012

Background

Violence and injuries are under-reported in developing countries, especially during natural disasters such as floods. During 2007 Bangladesh experienced two consecutive floods which affected almost one-third of the country.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine unintentional injuries to children in rural Bangladesh and parental violence against them during floods disaster, and also to explore the association of socioeconomic characteristics.

Methods

A cross-sectional rural household survey was conducted in the worst flood affected areas. A group of 638 randomly selected married women of reproductive age with at least one child at home were interviewed face-to-face using pre-tested structured questionnaires.

Results

The majority of families (90%) was affected by the flood and was struggling to find food and shelter, resulting in the parents becoming violent towards their children and other family members in the home. Cuts (38%), falls (22%) and near drowning (21%) comprised the majority of unintentional injuries affecting children during the floods. A large number of children were abused by their parents during the floods (70% by mothers and 40% by fathers). The incidence of child injuries and parental violence against children was higher among families living in poor socio-economic conditions, whose parents were of low occupational status and had micro-credit loans during the floods.

Significance

Floods can have significant effects on childhood injury and parental violence against children. The improvement of socio-economic conditions would assist in preventing child injuries and parental violence.
Data extracting to knowledge management for flood prevention in Nakhonratchasima province, Northeastern Thailand
Authors: Soravit T Siriwattana , Yaowaret Jantakat , Sanan Kranka
Published: October 2012

Flood event year 2010 were extremely occurred in Nakhonratchasima province where locates in northeastern Thailand and then had hardly effected to living of communities such as transportations and communications. In this paper, the objective is to initially discover or extract knowledge of flood causes from documents or fact sheets during 2001–2011 (10 years) in a human-understandable structure from the concerned agencies based on data mining. Raw data of the concerned agencies are water data from Royal Irrigation Department, forest data from Royal Forest Department, road data from Department Of Highways, urban data from Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, climate data from the Thai Meteorological Department and population data from National Statistical Office. Then, outputs are compared during them to analyse the interactive or the linkage relationships of possible causes for flood happening in pattern of graph and diagram. As a result, six obtained data from concerned agencies in 10 years have the increasing trend except forest data (the decreasing trend) and climate data (the unstable trend). Additionally, diagram analysis is found that flood cause in Nakhonratchasima area can divided into two events: normal and non-normal. Firstly, flood event can be managed (under estimation) and affected to loss in lowest level and no have loss. Secondly, flood event cannot be managed (over estimation) that affected to devastation in communities. Discovery of such flood knowledge will be used for flood prevention and management in Nakhonratchasima province of Thailand.
Effectiveness of environmental-based educative programme in injury prevention, disaster preparedness and burn management
Authors: Amr Moghazy , Amira Abdelrahman , Ayman Fahim
Published: October 2012

Background

Preparedness is a necessity for proper handling of emergencies and disasters. Injury prevention, particularly Burns, and first aid educative programmes are important pillars of the preparedness.

Programme Objectives

Sensitise and mobilise citizens of Suez Canal and Sinai region to injury prevention and first aid as well as enhancing their knowledge and attitude in these domains.

Candidates

Audience was classified according to their level of knowledge to Health Professional group; students groups; high risk group and lay people group. For course efficacy evaluation, pre and post tests were used immediately before and after the sessions.

Method

Injury and fire preventive educative programmes were tailored to adapt the environmental discrepancies of audiences, including the social and education levels of audience, common aetiologies as well as applicability of preventive measures according to local resources and logistics. Power point presentations were the main educative tool. Some training was included when appropriate. Acquisition of proper knowledge and attitudes was evaluated through differences in wrong answers in the pre and post tests.

Results

Results of this study showed significant acquisition of proper attitude and knowledge of injury prevention, evacuation principles and first aid in all educated groups (8040 candidates). The highest acquisition was among students (14.1%) and the least was in the lay people (8.8%).

Conclusions

Comprehensive simple educative programmes, considering all the environmental factors, particularly the social and educative factors, are ideal for rapid reform and community mobilisation. To achieve maximal effectiveness, the educative team should move to propagate the knowledge and attitude.
Injury epidemiology and New Zealand military forces in world war one
Authors: Nick Wilson , Jennifer Summers , Baker Michael
Published: October 2012

Background

Despite the large mortality burden of World War One (WW1) on New Zealand (NZ) military forces, no analysis using modern epidemiological methods has ever been conducted.

Aims

To study injury-related mortality amongst NZ military forces for WW1 and consider issues around preventability.

Methods

An electronic version of the Roll-of-Honour for NZ Expeditionary Force (NZEF) personnel was supplemented with further coding and analysed statistically. We also performed literature searches to provide context.

Results

Out of a total of 16 703 deaths occurring during the war (28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918), injury deaths predominated: 65.1% were ‘killed in action’ (KIA)', 23.4% ‘died of wounds’ (DOW), 1.0% were other injuries (‘accidents’, drownings, and executions), and 10.5% were other causes (mainly disease). During the course of the war the annual mortality rate from injury (for KIA+DOW) per 10 000 NZEF personnel in the North Hemisphere peaked at 1335 in 1915 (Gallipoli campaign) and then peaked again in 1917 at 937 (largely the Battle of Passchendaele). Cumulative injury mortality proportions for WW1 differed by ethnicity which reflected differing roles in the military: European/Other (1245/10 000); Māori (906); and Pacific soldiers (83).

While historical interpretations differ, there are many plausible preventive measures that could have reduced mortality eg: better diplomacy (to prevent the war); better military planning to avoid failed campaigns (eg, Gallipoli); and improved design and resourcing of medical services.

Significance

WW1 was by far the worst mass injury event in New Zealand's history. Many of these injury deaths could have been prevented.
The transmission of information in the immediate aftermath of the great East Japan earthquake by the administration in their efforts to establish safe communities
Authors: Yamada N , Yamada M , Yoshiike N , Niiyama Y , Kokubo J
Published: October 2012

Background

This survey examines the availability of information in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in X City, which was affected by the disaster, and considers future disaster response policies.

Aims/Methods

For the survey, 451 households in X City were randomly selected from among the 26 818 households.

Results

The survey yielded 359 responses from 248 of the 451 households.

Attributes of the respondents; of the 681 people who responded, 294 (43.2%) were male, 355 (52.1%) were female, and 4.7%did not disclose their gender. The average age of the respondents was 48.7 (±22.6 years). Four hundred and ten respondents (60.3%) were married.

The day after the earthquake; Moreover, 90 people (25.1%) were able to obtain the information they required the day after the earthquake, that is, three in four people could not obtain information.

One week after the earthquake; 223 people (62.1%) reported that they were able to obtain the information they required. (5.9%) reported that although they were gradually able to access information, they could hardly obtain any information' even after 1 week.

Significance

Incidentally, 166 people responded, ‘The disaster took me by surprise and I was unable to cope with it as I wished and 156 (43.4%) said that they could cope with it as they wished. A safe community disaster program is one in which citizens learn disaster response measures in times of non-emergency.
The aging workforce: a population-based study of agricultural workers
Authors: Gerberich S , Alexander B , Church T , Ryan A , Mongin S , Renier C
Published: October 2012

Background

Of concern, are aging workforces, particularly agricultural, with more workers aged >55 years than all industries combined (23% vs 14%) and fatality rates 9 times greater (25.4 vs 2.8/100 000 workers). Understanding the impact of aging is critical for their health and safety.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

Analyse injuries among agricultural operation workers in five upper Midwestern states in the US.

Methods

In 1999 and 2001, 16 000 operations, randomly selected (3200 per state) from the US Department of Agriculture's database, reported household injuries and demographics over 46 month periods. Following descriptive analyses, multivariable models, based on directed acyclic graphs and weighted for non-response and unknown eligibility, identified potential risk factors for agricultural injury, stratified by age group.

Results/Outcome

Injury rates were four times higher among males aged 60–64 vs 20–24 years (194.1 vs 49.9 events/1000 persons/year). The highest rate for females was also among 60–64 years (75.5 events/1000 persons/year). Major injury sources were animals and falls; >35% of falls involved those 60+ years. Older workers were injured more severely: 43%, 39%, and 41% of those 55–59, 60–64, and 65+ years, respectively, had restricted activities >7 days; 19%, 25%, and 24%, lost >7 days of agricultural operation work. For those 65+ years, 18% sustained brain concussions, requiring treatment. Among workers aged 60–69 years working <20 h vs 80+ h/week, operation-related injuries were elevated with a relative risk of 4.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 19.3).

Significance/Contribution to the Field

These results support establishing the study of aging effects as a priority in agricultural populations for injury prevention.
Magnitude and associated risk factors of injuries among welders working in grill workshops
Authors: Ghimire Anup , Raj Niraula Surya , Badhur Singh Suman , Uprety Samyog , Pokharal Paras Kumar
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Welding is a particular technology in the sense that it is needed in almost all kinds of metallic constructions, from bridges to cars and planes to structures. Welding is a physical demanding job. Safety hazards include the potential for fire or explosion and injuries from radiation, electrical shock, or materials handling. Welders are often exposed to potential workplace hazards that can be injurious to their health especially when exposure is on a regular and cumulative basis.

Objectives

To assess the magnitude and identify the risk factors of work-related injuries among welders.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 181 workers working in different grill workshops in Damak, Birtamode and Itahari. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and information related to injuries to the persons suffered from injuries occurrence of any injury during working period within 12 months, factors related to injury and the use of personal protective devices during work. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed by using SPSS V.17.0. Proportions and χ2test was applied to test significance of variables.

Result

The prevalence of injury within 12 months period was 36.5%.The injury was common in the age group 15–24 years (42.4%) and majority of participant had working experience less than 5 years (57.5%).Similarly injury was more common among workers who works more than 48 h per week (63.6%). workers who didn't received any formal training faced more injury (80.3%) and 42% didn't used any personal protective devices during work.

Significance

Increased rate of work related injury was observed when compared with similar studies done elsewhere. Preventive measures concerning functional occupational health and safety programmes are essential to safeguard the health and safety condition of workforce among welders.
Factors influencing the decision to engage in unsafe work practices: an air freight case study
Authors: Goode N , Salmon PM , Lenné MG , Hillard P
Published: October 2012

Background

The air freight work environment contains hazards that constantly need to be monitored and mitigated by safe work practices. As well as the risks posed by manual handling tasks, workers operate heavy machinery and work around jet engines in a high traffic environment. However, little is known about the factors that influence worker decision making and behaviour in this context.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

This study aimed to identify factors that influence the decision to engage in risky behaviours that might result in an accident or injury.

Methods

The study was conducted at an Australian air freight company. Three activities were examined: loading planes, moving freight and using forklifts. In phase 1, workers were observed performing these activities as part of their normal duties and 36 Critical Decision Making interviews were conducted. In phase 2, management-level staff were asked to comment on the factors identified during phase 1.

Results/Outcome

Factors influencing worker decision making were identified across multiple levels including: equipment, surroundings, other workers, technical and operational management, company management and airport management. Multiple interactions between these factors were also uncovered.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Understanding the factors that influence the decision to engage in risky behaviours in air freight workplaces will aid in the design of appropriate, informed, safety interventions and industry reforms in order to prevent injuries and accidents.
Injury incidence among recruits in basic military training and related factors in China
Authors: Hu G , Tan A , Liu X , Wang Q , Zhu S
Published: October 2012

Background

Few published studies describe the complete injury profile of recruits in the basic military training in China.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To estimate the incidence rate of injuries among recruits in the basic military training (including training and non-training injuries) and to identify risk factors related to the occurrence of injuries.

Methods

A total of 1389 recruits were selected at random using two-stage sampling at six army camps and were prospectively followed from December 2010 to February 2011. Injury information was collected by the physicians. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) was used to measure the impact of factors based on two-level Poisson regression.

Results/Outcomes

In total, 130 injuries, 121 injured recruits were registered. The injury incidence rate was 9.4%, consisting of 20% non-training injuries. Injuries highly occurred at the fifth, sixth and ninth week. The most common injuries were sprain/strain/rub, accounting for 65.4% of all injuries. The majority of injury body was lower extremity, constituting 61.5% of all injuries. Fifty-three percent of training injuries occurred at physical training. Recruits from urban areas and who self-reported intolerable training intensity had high injury risk (IRR=1.51, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.22; IRR=2.32, 95% CI 1.46 to 3.70) compared to those from rural areas and who reported tolerable training intensity.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

In addition to training injuries, non-training injuries also cannot be neglected for injury prevention among recruits in the basic military training in China. Attention should be paid to recruits from urban areas and who reported intolerable training intensity, so as to prevent injuries among recruits in China.
The relationship between shoulder disorders and instrument group in professional Australian orchestral musicians
Authors: Jacklyn G , Driscoll T , Ackermann B
Published: October 2012

Background

Professional musicians have high rates of musculoskeletal disorders, but few studies have analysed the risk of shoulder pain and injury by instrument group and work environment.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To assess the prevalence and impact of shoulder pain and injury, and its relation to instrument group, in professional musicians from Australian orchestras.

Methods

374 musicians from six professional Australian orchestras completed a physical examination and cross-sectional questionnaire concerning their demographics, duties and physical activities at work. The outcome variable, left and right shoulder pain and injury, was assessed using a subjective pain score—the visual analogue scale—and objective physical examination. Prevalence rates were estimated and associations with risk factors assessed by logistic regression.

Results/Outcomes

Shoulder pain and injury is common amongst professional orchestral musicians. The overall estimate for right and left shoulder pain was 19% and 12% respectively. There was an association between right shoulder injury and instrument group. Woodwind (OR 2.22 95%; CI 0.99 to 5.00) and upper string musicians (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.02 to 5.09) had a significantly higher OR when compared to brass players.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The findings reinforce the fact that shoulder disorders are common amongst professional orchestral musicians and highlight the need for prospective research into the occupational exposures that contribute to this problem.
Preventing children from being extra-riders on tractors
Authors: Jinnah-Ghelani H , Stoneman Z , Rains G , Brightwell B
Published: October 2012

Background

Children are often allowed to ride on tractors without a separate seat under the pretext of having fun and creating bonding. All too often they fall off and are seriously injured or killed.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

This is part of a larger NIOSH-funded study aimed at utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour to evaluate a family-based farm safety intervention. This presentation focuses on reducing the risk of youth being extra-riders on tractors.

Methods

This research utilised a longitudinal, randomised-control design including two intervention groups (primary farmers or safety experts as teachers) and a no-treatment control. Lessons were taught to the whole family. Almost all primary farmers were fathers. Data were collected from the whole family. Data reported in this presentation were from 115 families.

Results/Outcome

ANCOVAs revealed that, after controlling pre-intervention levels, farmers in the primary farmer-led group were less likely to have unsafe behaviours and intentions related to giving a child ride on tractors than those in safety expert or control group. Both intervention groups reported positive changes in attitudes and risk awareness compared to control group. Youth in primary farmer-led group reported positive changes in behaviour and intentions compared to control group.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The safety intervention had a positive impact on primary farmer's behaviours, intentions, attitudes and risk awareness related to giving a child a ride on tractor, in both study groups. Similar findings emerged for youth. Findings help us create effective interventions that impact behavioural change in fathers and youth related to farm safety.
Development and implementation of an agricultural safety consultation program to protect dairy farm workers
Authors: Keifer M , Magurany-Brotski C , Guerrero-Silva F , Ellis T
Published: October 2012

Background

Dairies in Wisconsin, America's Dairyland, were caught unprepared in summer, 2011 when the State's Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it planned inspections and enforcement on dairies across the state. In Wisconsin, all work deaths dropped from 2009–2010, but agricultural deaths increased 66%, accounting for 32 of 91. OSHA is prohibited by Congress from enforcing on any agricultural operation with <11 non-family workers. However, dairy operations have grown. The National Farm Medicine Center developed the Agricultural Safety Consulting (ASC) service to assist the industry to improve safety and prepare for inspections. Our initial findings are presented.

Objective

Describe findings of safety consulting on Wisconsin Dairies.

Methods

ASC hired a career dairyman, a safety professional and a translator. Walkthroughs produced recommendations on safety changes and worker training. Data were collected on categorical hazards.

Results

Major findings from nine large include: Average of 19.3 hazard findings in 31 hazard categories. Most common: lack of mobile equipment training (19), lack of fall protection (17), inadequate fixed machine guarding (15), unaddressed electrical hazards (10), missing hazard communication plans (9), confined space hazards (8), lack of required injury records (8), livestock handling issues (7).

Contribution to the Field

Few Wisconsin farms have safety expertise. Farm Safety specialists are rare in the US. Training agricultural experts in safety and safety experts in agriculture produces a strong complimentary team. ASC provides safety consulting which can be coupled with research projects aimed at improving health and safety researchers and often cautious farm owners.
Underreporting of fatal occupational injuries in Norway, improved completeness by combining several sources
Authors: Ebba Wergeland , Finn Gjertsen , Johan Lund
Published: October 2012

Background

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA) records fatal occupational injuries. Complete and correct recording is a prerequisite for efficient prevention.

Aims

To assess the completeness of this register.

Methods

For 2000–2003 the NLIA recorded 171 fatal occupational injuries among residents in Norway. Each of these deaths was compared case-wise with fatal occupational injuries recorded in three other registers by means of their unique personal identification numbers: The Norwegian Cause of Death Register, The Register at Private Insurance and The Register at The National Insurance Administration. The two latter register compensated cases of occupational fatal injuries. The estimated real number was calculated by a capture-recapture model Yang H-C and Chao A (2006) Program CARE-4.

Results

The aggregated number of fatal occupational injuries was found to be 252, the estimated number 296 (95% CI 276 to 330). NLIA reported 70% of prevalent cases and 60% of the estimated numbers.

Significance

Multiple sources are needed to improve completeness. Fatal occupational injuries in non-residents require special surveillance as they are not included in the Cause of Death Register. Underreporting by insurance register should be further examined.
The missing link in occupational health and safety: managing psychological injury risks and developing organisational health in Australian workplaces
Authors: McFarlane M , Karabitsios J
Published: October 2012

Background

With the harmonisation of work place health and safety legislation in Australia, heavy focus has recently been on ensuring workplaces are complaint and safety aware. However, the missing link is often consideration of critical psychosocial risk factors in the workplace and the significant cost of these to both the organisation and the individual.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

This study aims to assess the efficacy of a psychosocial risk assessment and intervention model in mitigating psychosocial risks, and to identify key organisational factors in reducing psychosocial risk profiles and increasing organisational health.

Method

The data utilised in this research is drawn from a range of organisations, including public, private and not-for-profit (N≥87different work groups),with outcomes measured at pre and post intervention.

Results/Outcomes

This research found that psychosocial risks can be significantly reduced through a 3-stage assessment and intervention model, and that leadership capability emerged as one of the key drivers of psychosocial risk in the workplace. Interestingly leadership capability was also a key remediating factor in improving safety and managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

This research provides insights into the effectiveness of interventions in assessing and mitigating psychosocial risks in the workplace, and assists in understanding occupational stress Australia. The results provide valuable insights for organisations wishing to effectively and efficiently manage their corporate people risks.
Grass roots suicide prevention in rural Western Australia (WA)
Authors: Costello D , O'Brien M
Published: October 2012

Background

One Life Suicide Prevention Strategy is the rebranded WA Suicide Prevention Strategy focusing on what communities can do to prevent suicide. One Life has operated in the South West region of WA since June 2011.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

One Life aims to use a community development approach founded in the core values of building; resilience, strong networks and social capital, facilitated by high levels of trust, cooperation and mutual understanding to reduce suicide at a local community level.

Methods

Broad consultation, inter-sectoral collaboration, local partnerships, community engagement and a community development approach informs and shapes this grass roots action.

One Life involves mapping of existing services and identification of Community Coordinators, who will then lead local communities to develop Community Action Plans (CAPs) addressing six areas:

1 Improving the evidence base and understanding of suicide prevention.

2 Building individual resilience and the capacity for self help.

3 Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention.

4 Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention.

5 Providing targeted suicide prevention activities.

6 Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention.

Results/Outcomes

Community Coordinators have worked with their Committees comprising key stakeholders to develop CAPs. This process has resulted in targeted suicide prevention training and activities to increase awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental ill-health. In turn this is building community strength and resilience, at the community level, to reduce suicide.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The presentation will focus on the grass roots achievements of this strategy at a local and regional level.
Identification of factors in the dispersion of volatile substances of the internal environment of a chemical university laboratory
Authors: Peña O , Preciado L , Franco S , Medina M , Ramírez F , Mata C
Published: October 2012

Background

Volatile chemicals (VOCs) affect people's airways and maybe to be a risk factor to health if there is little culture of prevention, management and regulation in budding interior environments.

Objective

To identify factors that may increase the concentration of VOCs in the indoor environment of a university chemistry laboratory during student practice.

Method

The concentration was measured by portable flame ionisation detector in units of parts per million (ppm). It recorded three conditions: (a) with three extractors in to on and unlit, (b) practices study with volatile substances and unused, (c) instead of monitoring: front and back of the lab.

Results

The variability of VOCs ppm for each of the effects, statistically significant difference test, comparing their mean square against an estimate of experimental error. In this case, two effects have p<0.05, indicating that they are significantly different from zero with a confidence level of 95.0%. When exhaust fans are running, it is reported that 1578 ppm smaller than amount when not in operation (1804 ppm). The average concentration of VOCs is reported of 2.03 ppm without using volatile substances and increased to 28.27 ppm when used, locating this concentration at the bottom of the laboratory.

Conclusions Contribution

The concentration of VOCs increases when exhaust fans are not working and dispersed when operating only two of three extractors. With three fans, the VOCs were concentrated in a space and may be risk to health.
Traumatic hand amputations among Greek adults: epidemiology and prevention dimensions
Authors: Panagopoulou P , Antonopoulos C , Kanavidis P , Michelakos T , Matsoukis I , Petridou E
Published: October 2012

Background

Data regarding the epidemiology of traumatic hand/finger amputations are scarce. Likewise country specific risk factors that would lead to tailored interventions are rarely available, despite the high costs associated with reconstructive surgery and the frequently permanent disability.

Objectives

To investigate epidemiological characteristics of hand amputations among Greek adults, focusing of preventable causes.

Methods

Nationwide extrapolations were produced on the basis of the Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS) records over 10-years; along with text analysis, these data were also used to derive the epidemiologic profile of the respective injuries.

Results

Among ∼300 000 injured individuals >14 years, 20% presented with a hand/finger injury, out of which 728 were amputations (∼1.3% of hand injuries), leading to a 39.3/100 000 person-years incidence rate for hand amputations. The annual probability of a severe hand injury requiring hospital attention was 3%. Of note, 15% were migrant workers (∼3-fold higher risk). Males (90%) outnumbered women and the incidence peaked in ages 45–64; occupational were characterised two-thirds of the accidents. Machinery (56%), materials (11%) and parts of buildings/furniture (8%) were the most commonly products involved, with wood-working being a worth-noting risk factor (20%). Interestingly, inattention (6%) was reported as the underlying cause by the amputees themselves, 10% of whom were transferred to specialised units for replantation/reconstructive surgery.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

A noticeable proportion of all outpatient injuries involve the hand with hand/finger amputations with 10% referral for reconstruction. Indispensable for decision-making databases, like EDISS, show the domains that should be targeted to reduce unnecessary suffering.
Human factors in farming—publishing the learning from accident reviews to influence farmers' behaviours and practices
Authors: Chris Polaczuk , Megan Nagel , Peter Hamilton Jones
Published: October 2012

Objective

To reduce injuries to farmers by sharing the learning gained from reviews of farm accidents using a human factors analysis tool.

Methods

A group of farm consultants were trained in the Keil Centre's human factors analysis tool. They reviewed 23 farm accidents and prepared standard reports for entry into an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) database for analysis. Based on the reports 12 plain English stories were written using fictitious personal information to protect the farmers' privacy. The stories are being published in rural magazines, and used in radio interviews with farming representatives, to share the learning with the wider farming community. An independent survey was conducted to evaluate if the farmers concerned had changed their behaviours following these on-farm reviews, and to provide feedback on the usefulness of this approach.

Results

The survey feedback from farmers was 95% positive. Most farmers found the reviews useful—they made them think differently and change practices and behaviours on their farms. Database analysis enabled ACC to identify common human factors that contribute to farm accidents with high numbers of ‘decision errors’ becoming apparent.

Conclusions

This project demonstrated that using a human factors analysis tool to review farm accidents provides useful insights, the publication of which provides an on-going means to influence farmers' behaviours and practices in the wider farming community.
Caring hands on harm's way: sharp injuries in hospital settings in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Shah S , Grivina M , Noura M , Farah A , Suwaidi S , Ameri D
Published: October 2012

Background

Sharp injuries predispose health care workers (HCWs) to serious infectious diseases. Data is lacking regarding sharp injuries among doctors and nurses working in trauma and surgical units in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To identify the burden and cause of sharp injuries among health care workers.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted in Emergency, Intensive care unit, General Surgery, Orthopaedics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments of two major teaching hospitals Tawam and Al Ain hospitals in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate. Data on sharp injuries were collected using a pilot-tested self-administered questionnaire.

Results/Outcome

Of the study sample of 550 doctors and nurses approached, 306 (55.6%) responded. The prevalence of sharp injuries was 12% among the participants. A higher proportion of doctors (23%) compared to nurses (7%) had sharp injuries. There was significant correlation between those who worked ≥12 h per shift and having sharp injury (p<0.003). Injuries were mostly caused by two devices; syringe needles and suture needles (40% each). About 65% of the injured believed that stress and long shift hours contributed to their injury. More nurses (87%) than doctors (50%) reported their injuries. Only 68.4% of doctors and 86.4% of nurses received annual sharp safety training.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

A high proportion of health care workers in major hospital had sharp injuries. Doctors were less likely to receive sharp safety training compared to nurses. There is need for safety training targeting health care workers in surgical and trauma units.
Rail incident investigator training: is there support for a standardised Australasian training framework?
Authors: Banks T , Biggs H , Dovan N
Published: October 2012

Background

Historically rail organisations have been operating in silos and devising their own training agendas. However with the harmonisation of the Australian workplace health and safety legislation and the appointment of a national rail safety regulator in 2013, rail incident investigator experts are exploring the possibility of developing a unified approach to investigator training.

Objectives

The Australian CRC for Rail Innovation commissioned a training needs analysis to identify if common training needs existed between organisations and to assess support for the development of a national competency framework for rail incident investigations.

Method

Fifty-two industry experts were consulted to explore the possibility of the development of a standardised training framework. These experts were sourced from within 19 Australasian organisations, comprising Rail Operators and Regulators in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand.

Results

Although some competency requirements appear to be organisation specific, the vast majority of reported training requirements were generic across the Australasian rail operators and regulators. Industry experts consistently reported strong support for the development of a national training framework.

Significance

The identification of both generic training requirements across organisations and strong support for standardised training indicates that the rail industry is receptive to the development of a structured training framework. The development of an Australasian learning framework could: increase efficiency in course development and reduce costs; establish recognised career pathways; and facilitate consistency with regards to investigator training.
The exposure of farm workers to pesticides used in potato cultivation in Brazil
Authors: Silveria-Monteiro CA , Silva JV , Vilela LP , Moraes MS
Published: October 2012

Background

Brazil is one of the world leaders in pesticide consumption and exposed workers are numerous and diversified. The indiscriminate application of pesticides affects both human health and natural ecosystems.

Objective

Identify the level of knowledge of rural workers as to the use of Individual Protection Equipment (IPE) and the risk of direct handling of agro-toxics and making them aware of the importance of such knowledge.

Methods

This is a descriptive study with quantitative approach of an epidemic. With the aid of a semi-structured instrument was possible to identify the biopsychosocial characteristics of the subjects, data on working conditions and illness.

Results

72 rural workers were interviewed (surveyed), mostly men. As to their knowledge of IPE, 66(92%) reported having it, but despite having such knowledge, 44 (61%) reported nor using any of such required equipment. As to the knowledge of the harm that agro-toxics can cause to their health, 65 (90%) of the rural workers said they have it, while 7(10%) said they know of none. Collected data show that 65(67%) of the interviewed workers never had been intoxicated, while 7(33%) have already been intoxicated at least once.

Contribution to the Field

The result of this research shows the need for an intervention in this area, they provide instruments for nurses to promote actions as to the reduction of intoxication and greater awareness of what intoxication.