bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety rock: community-based art initiative to reduce driveway run over trauma
Authors: Millar J
Published: October 2012

Background

A typical New Zealand child injured in a driveway incident is aged 0–4 years, of Māori or Pacific ethnicity and lives in an area of high socio-economic deprivation. In line with Safekids New Zealand 2010/2011 Driveway Run Over campaign theme, the Safekids Rotorua/Treasure Rotorua coalition tried a new approach.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

The objective was to offer an easy behaviour change option. Key desirable features included easy and quick implementation with low or zero cost to the family. Ideally whole family ownership of the issue and subsequent behavioural change was sought.

Methods

The ‘Safety Rock’ initiative was developed collaboratively using personal and professional experiences. Considering art a fun format for all ages and talents, this activity was developed to provide children with the opportunity to paint a concrete paving stone to take home and place in a parentally identified safe waving location for them to stand on during vehicular movement.

Results/Outcomes

A successful pilot was launched at Children's Day Rotorua in March 2012 with 100 Safety Rocks painted within 2 h. Plentiful opportunities arose to talk to participants about keeping safe near cars. In situ Safety Rocks serve as an ongoing reminder helping all household residents, and visitors.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

This child safety activity could be replicated in a variety of settings eg Kohanga Reo, Early Childcare Education, community events. Other art techniques and/or cultural designs could be used.
Alternative dairy farm employment/dairy farm task sheets
Authors: Philippa Wallace
Published: October 2012

Background

Injured rural people often have significant injuries with long recovery periods and they are returning to highly physical roles—many of them on farms milking in excess of 1000 cows. As an ACC case manager, with a high proportion of my clients rurally based I am aware of issues relating to finding appropriate light duties on the farms they are employed on. Another issue can be that On Farm Accommodation is often a part of the job package, and if injured staff are off work for any length of time they can be asked to leave the farm accommodation. Many of the young people then move into town/cities and in some instances if another person is employed to fill that role, the length of time the injured client takes to return to work, can mean that job may be lost.

Objectives

To ensure these young people are not ‘lost' to the industry should they be asked to leave the farm accommodation after an accident. To look closely at medical duration for the type of injury and to ensure ongoing claim costs do not spiral, due to the client having no job to return too.

Method

ACC needs to investigate thoroughly the scope of the workplace the client is returning to—so ACC begins by gathering data on the pre injury farm employment. To do this the ACC188 task sheet has been revamped, and specifically worded to investigate the potential for light/alternative duties as a starting point to keep a job safe. For example—a dairy farmer may tell ACC that his farm is 200 ha, however he will identify only 180 effective ha. That 20 ha is looked at as a possibility for light duties by asking what that 20 ha is used for—is it for instance a wet land planting; a farm forestry block; a quarry; waterway plantings; leased to a neighbour etc. In some instances this can be a good place to begin.

However it many instances the current employer is just too busy to consider having his injured employee back on the farm in the short term, often fearful that further injury will reflect badly on him. The employer, in many instances, must replace the injured employee immediately to limit the impact on his business of being short staffed.

If the injured client is a young person, being away from work for any length of time can often have a detrimental effect—they get out of the routine of work, and lose contact with peers and workmates.

ACC has also sought a local business to work alongside the dairy farm to accommodate the injured person. This local motel offers homely accommodation, and two meals per day, to ensure no barriers stop a successful participation.

Results

The results we see is that the workers skill set is maintained and in most cases enhanced. Good ongoing communication between ACC and previous employer—client able to return to pre injury job—not lost to industry.

Conclusions

Often a clients return to work is much quicker than expected, due to having confidence built up, and being supported by both farm staff and an occupational therapist as tasks are added as the injury resolves.
Evaluation on first-aids' quality of volunteer network of pre-hospital trauma care system in Vietnam
Authors: Tran TNL , Nguyen TL , Luong MA , Tran AT , Nguyen QT , Khieu TQT
Published: October 2012

Background

The majority of trauma deaths occur in pre-hospital settings. Pre-hospital trauma care system built on first responders' network (such as village health workers, police, bystanders, volunteers, and others) with 3000 people in five provinces, which were trained and provided first aid to injured victims.

Objectives and methods

Determine proportion of injured victim provided first aid by volunteers and quality of first aid evaluated by doctors in 5 months.

Results

There were 3320 cases recorded by volunteers. In which, 61.1% of first aid cases were transferred to health care facilities (40.5% road traffic injuries). 67.2% of victims was male, and at the age of 20–39 was highest. 81.8% victims were transferred by motorbikes (by ambulance is only 3%). Bleeding injury was most popular with rate of 60%. 68.3% had been provided first aid by bandages, 62.8% by stopping bleeding. 91–99% cases were evaluated well—first aid quality by provincial level doctors.

Significance

This has been a very successful programme and there is high potential for them to positively impact upon mortality and disability through the care they render. However, there are several smaller, technical items that could be addressed to strengthen the programme: consumable of first aid kits, training course methods, protocol for airway management for transport without accompanying person trained in first aid and refresher training.
Regional rural injury study III: the roles of injury type and injured body part in determining short- and long-term consequences of injuries among children on agricultural operations
Authors: Ryan A , Gerberich S , Alexander B , Renier C
Published: October 2012

Background

Children living on agricultural operations are at high risk of work-related injury.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

Evaluate the effects of anatomical location of and type of injury on short- and long-term consequences among children (<20 years old) on agricultural operations.

Methods

Data were collected for 1474 eligible agricultural operation households in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Two 6-month injury data collection periods followed baseline collection; annual follow-up evaluation data were collected for 2 years. By comparing youth in case and control households, changes between baseline and follow-up were examined. Multivariate logistic regression and cumulative logit models characterised associations between injury status and long-term health- and work-related characteristics.

Results/Outcome

Anatomical locations most frequently injured among youth were legs (39%) and arms (35%). Frequently occurring injury types included fractures/dislocations (27%) and sprains/strains (23%). Brain/spine injuries, while infrequent (5%), were among the most severe: all required treatment by a health care professional. Characteristics of youths in case households were compared to those in control households at different intervals post-injury reporting period: youths with brain/spine injuries were seven times more likely to have trouble with pain/discomfort at 1 year; arm and leg injuries were associated with lower odds of feeling happy at 6 months (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.9); fractures/dislocations were associated with elevated risks of not completing work/chores at 1 year.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Short- and long-term consequences of injuries among youths on agricultural operations differ by injury type and anatomical location, interfering with regular activities, and impacting work productivity.
The 2012 action plan for preventing childhood agricultural injuries in the USA
Authors: Lee B , Gallagher S , Liebman A , Miller M , Marlenga B
Published: October 2012

Background

More than one million children live on farms in the USA and many more visit and/or work on the 2.2 million farms where they are exposed to an array of occupational hazards.

Purpose

Since the USA adopted its 1996 National Action Plan for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention, injury surveillance revealed a decline by 59% of nonfatal injuries but minimal change in fatalities. Research and intervention evaluations highlighted the importance of multifaceted strategies to influence behaviour change.

Methods

To update the national plan, 16 scholars authored papers on topics relevant to children, agriculture and safety. Their peer-reviewed manuscripts with action recommendations guided a six-member team that drafted and refined a 2012 National Action Plan. Input was secured from various audiences, including a public posting on the internet.

Results

Tangible outcomes include a dedicated issue ofJournal of Agromedicine: Practice, Policy and Researchfeaturing surveillance, special populations, global strategies, and related topics; and a comprehensive document depicting the 2012 action plan's seven goals with their respective strategies, background, injury data, news reports of child injuries and deaths, and references to justify goals and strategies.

Significance

Short-term, theBlueprint for Protecting Children in Agriculture: 2012 National Action Planserves as a guidance document for public and private funding of priority areas, as well as direction for researchers, educators and practitioners to address the most pressing issues. Long-term, this has potential to influence interventions that will continue the reduction in childhood agricultural injuries and impact the number of youth fatalities.
Abusive head trauma incidence and prevention in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Melissa Kaltner , Justin Kenardy , Robyne Le Brocque , Andrew Page , William Lilley , Anne Stephens
Published: October 2012

Background

Abusive head trauma (AHT), including both shaken baby syndrome and inflicted traumatic brain injury, has been reported to be the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in physically abused infants. Despite the serious nature of injuries evident in AHT cases, no Australian AHT incidence figures had previously been reported in published literature.

Aims

In order to inform prevention measures, a study was designed to ascertain the public health burden of AHT in Queensland, with a subsequent prevention programme trial developed.

Methods

Queensland Trauma Registry data was linked to the Queensland Child Death Register to identify all cases of severe head injuries caused by abuse and suspected abuse in Queensland infants aged 0–24 months occurring during the 4-year period of 2005–2008.

Results

An annual incidence of 6.7 (CI 2.8 to 13.1) cases of abusive head trauma per 100 000 infants aged 0–24 months was established. Rates ratios indicated that incidence was higher for children aged under 12 months, male infants and infants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ethnicity.

Contribution to the Field

The study provided the first Australian incidence estimates of abusive head trauma, indicating similar rates to that reported in age-incidence peaks for other forms of childhood injury. Findings from the study are being utilised to inform the implementation of a prevention programme trial that will also be overviewed in this presentation which is currently underway in Cooktown, Queensland.
Expanded measure of paediatric injury
Authors: Silbinger O , Zimmerman D , Frydman E , Ivancovsky M , Kovalski N
Published: October 2012

Background

An accepted method of estimating the paediatric injury rate is to use the prevalence of emergency department (ED) visits. However, children may receive injury care in other locations.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

(1) Estimate the paediatric injury rate using both ED and community urgent care centres (UCC) visits and (2) Compare injury, utilisation and demographic variables between paediatric ED and UCC use.

Methods

(1) Estimation of the injury rate for two cities (Jerusalem and Maale Adumim)—defined as the number of resident children ages 1–17 who visited either UCC or ED (not both) due to injuries in 2009 divided by the number of paediatric residents multiplied by 10 000. (2) Comparison of injury type, demographic and visit variables between ED and UCC.

Results/Outcomes

The ‘expanded’ injury rate for Jerusalem and Maale Adumim was 729.3 and 1075.9, respectively. This ‘joint’ value is 2.1 and 3.3 times higher, respectively, than the estimate by ED visits alone. The percentage of males and average age were higher in the ED than in either UCC location. Percentage of ED use decreases with age. There are statistically significant different in the types of injury among children who received care in the two different settings. Contusions and lacerations were more common in UCC and vehicular accidents more common in ED.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Injury rate calculation based on ED visits alone can lead to misconceptions. Proper estimation of injury incidence requires also data from alternative sources of care.
LEADERSHIP PRACTICES RELATED TO UNINTENTIONAL INJURY PREVENTION AT SCHOOLS
Authors: Markkula J , Saaristo V , Lillsunde P
Published: October 2012

Background

A safe school environment for pupils is ensured by law in Finland. However, according to national School Health Promotion Study in 2010/2011 almost every fourth 8thand 9thgrader (14–15-year-olds) reported they had got into at least one school injury requiring services of a public health nurse or a doctor.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to find out what common practices comprehensive schools have related to prevention of unintentional school injuries, and what has changed over time.

Methods

In 2011 altogether 2011 and in 2009 1803 comprehensive schools (72% and 63% of all schools in Finland) answered to a nationwide questionnaire sent to principals.

Results

In 2011, 87% of schools reported that the promotion of health, welfare and safety was described in their school curriculum. Monitoring and evaluating health, welfare and safety was described in the curriculum of 60%. 71% monitored injuries at school and 62% on the way to or from school: compared to previous study there was a slight increase. There was an increase from 40% to 55% in triennially assessing the health and safety of the school environment and community, as ordered by a government decree since July 2009. The most recent assessment by schools identified a danger of unintentional injury indoors in 23% and outdoors in 26% of the schools.

Contribution to the field

According to the results it seems that legislation might further support implementing safety practice that was formerly only recommended nationally. Also monitoring safety practices at national level provides valuable information for the basis of policymaking.
Are schools in Macedonia ready to achieve children‘s environmental and health policy priority goals?
Authors: Dimovska M , Gjorgjev D , Tozija F
Published: October 2012

Background

Republic of Macedonia has committed itself to prepare an Action Plan (CEHAPE) to reduce and control the environmental risks which are responsible for 25–35% of the global burden of disease of school children.

Objectives

To assess the level of awareness of school children about environmental health risks and readiness of schools to achieve CEHAPE priority goals related among others to injury prevention and control.

Material and Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted applying two survey questionnaires on a national representative sample of 1359 students (12–18 years) in the country.

Results

Students are more concerned about air pollution from road traffic as an environmental health risk than road traffic injuries. Student awareness of injuries and violence is very low despite the high rate of injuries (30%) and bulling (10%). Student transport to school is mostly organised by public transport, taxi or private cars. Education for safe cycling is provided in 6 of 10 schools, without having ‘safe routs for walking and cycling’, neither places for keeping bicycles or separate entrance for cyclists. School plan for travelling is reported in 7 schools out of 13.

Significance

Since safety schools are among the priorities in the national children's environmental and health policy, active involvement of children and young people should be the fundament of this process.
Street children and road traffic injuries: a neglected association in prevention strategies in Nigeria
Authors: Abdulraheem I , Tobin-West C , Bolarinwa A , Uthmam M
Published: October 2012

Background

The volume of road traffic and the number of street children are increasing in major towns and cities in Nigeria since 1999.

Objective

The objectives include understanding and documentation of the nature and extent of injuries experienced by street children and their coping strategies, and to understand the categories of those responsible and suggest preventive measures.

Methods

Qualitative data collection techniques such as informal interview and case study were carried out. Information was obtained from 250 street children selected using convenience sampling technique.

Results

Of the 250 children interviewed, 136 (54.4%) confirmed sustaining one road traffic injuries. About one-third (44 or 32.3%) of these injuries resulted from a knockdown by a speedy vehicle, while 28 (20.6%) was due to fall from a moving motor-cycle. Injuries (minor and deep cuts) purposefully inflicted by other persons accounted for 16 (11.8%). Firearms (stray bullets) led to 3 (2.2%) sustaining bad wounds and fractures while injury undetermined whether by accident or purposefully inflicted was 23 (2.3%). The culprits or perpetrators of these accidents were mostly poorly trained and unlicenced drivers (56.7%), alcoholic drunk drivers (36.8%), speedy bank drivers (2.2%) and armed escort drivers of government vehicles (4.3%).

Significance and Contribution to the Field

The findings from this study are of paramount importance to policy makers, law enforcement agencies, youths and community leaders in instituting effective preventive strategies that aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity. This study revealed that the road traffic injuries among the street children are mainly caused by poorly trained and unlicensed drivers
Injury patterns and safety behaviour of child pedestrians in the ultra Orthodox Jewish Community
Authors: Silbinger O , Levi S , Hamenachem Y , Klein M , Ivancovsky M
Published: October 2012

Background

Road crashes are a primary cause of injury among children in Israel. The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UOJ) population in Israel is characterised by low socioeconomic status, large families, low employment, and a low level of secular educational attainment, all of which may affect the safety of children in this community. Safety experts surmise that UOJ children are at greater risk for injuries in road crashes, however to date there is insufficient data supporting this hypothesis.

Objectives

Characterise injury patterns and identify risk taking behaviours of child pedestrians in the UOJ community.

Methods

Analysis of injury data based on national traffic injury, trauma registry, and emergency department data. Observational surveys of child pedestrians at intersections and on arrival to school in UOJ communities.

Results

Findings demonstrate that child pedestrians in UOJ communities are at higher risk of injury, percent of UOJ children injured 1.5 times the general Jewish population. Hospital data point to higher admissions for age 0–9 from UOJ communities (82.5%) in contrast to comparison communities (65%). Observational surveys point to unique risk taking behaviours: overall 63% of the children crossed at intersections in an unsafe manner and 22% of children age 3–5 crossed without adult supervision.

Contribution to the Field

First in depth analysis of injury and behaviours of UOJ child pedestrians corroborates the long-standing belief that this community is at risk for road injuries. Interventions must be tailored to the culture and setting of the UOJ community.
The evaluation of general swimming and safety swimming programmers
Authors: Ekchaloemkiet S , Gerdmongkolgan S
Published: October 2012

Background

Drowning is the first leading cause of death for children age lower than 15 years. The mortality rate per 100 000 children aged 0–14 years is between 9.3 and 11.5, (2004–2008). A survey on the swimming ability of Thai children under 15 reveals that only 16.3% of them can swim.

Objective

To evaluate of general swimming and safety swimming programme.

Methodology

This study is the Quasi-Experimental Research, which has the objective to evaluate the three group of children's the ability to swim and skills to make them survive when they have crisis during swim. These groups of children were given the different swimming courses.

Result

The result of the study showed that after completion of the courses, there were no significant differences among three groups of children in terms of the ability to swim, when they were tested to swim for 25 m distance. However, in terms of ability to perform safety and rescue swimming, the children in group 1 demonstrated more effective than other children from groups 2 and 3, respectively.

Conclusion and Discussion

In summary, we found that the children who took part in the course that specific for safety and rescue swimming had more ability than ones who took part in general swimming course. Therefore, the safety and rescue swimming courses (survival swimming curriculum) should be promoted widely throughout the country, and this will help to reduce the death of children due to drowning.
Understanding use of child restraints in Australian aboriginal families: a mixed methods approach
Authors: Hunter K , Keay L , Clapham K , Lyford M , Brown J , Bilston L , Lo W , Ivers R
Published: October 2012

Background

Aboriginal children are over represented in car crash fatalities, however little is known about knowledge and attitudes towards use of child restraints in Aboriginal communities in Australia.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To explore the knowledge, attitudes and factors that impede and facilitate the use of appropriate restraints in Aboriginal communities.

Methods

A mixed method approach included a parent survey across three early learning centres where approximately a third of children are of Aboriginal descent on the Australian south-east coast, and six focus groups, comprising 38 parents recruited from the early learning centres and two urban Aboriginal Controlled Health services.

Results/Outcomes

Survey data showed while the majority of families (90/97, 94%) were aware of the new restraint legislation and 80 (83%) correctly identified the restraint for their child's age as defined by the law, there were gaps in knowledge about transition ages, particularly for when to move their child to a booster seat (legislated age four or older). In the focus groups, parents expressed some confusion about the new legislation and when to progress a child from one restraint to the next. Both the cost of restraints and sharing rides with other families were identified as barriers. Parents said their child's safety was of paramount importance to them and that relatives and other community members influenced how their child travelled.

Significance/Contributions to the Field

This study highlights the factors that should be addressed in programmes targeting restraint use in Aboriginal populations.
Distance course for child injury prevention in Brazil
Authors: Francoia A , Gonsales L
Published: October 2012

Background

In Brazil, 4700 children under 15 years old die and 125 000 are hospitalised each year due to non-intentional injuries, such as traffic, drowning, fall, burn, poisoning, chocking, among others. According to Ministry of Health, non-intentional injuries are the leading cause of death between the ages of 1 and 14.

Objectives

Safe Kids has created a distance course for multipliers to educate the community to promote injury prevention related to children.

Methods

The course is online and includes eight lessons within 60 h. To conclude the course and receive a certification, participants have to create an ‘Action Plan’ of activities to be developed in their communities.

Results

In 2011, Safe Kids was performed four classes of the course for 1520 professionals of education, social, health, and other areas attended the courses. These professionals are in 25 States of Brazil, 80% are women, aged between 31 and 40 and 80% have completed higher education. The great result is their ability to multiply the message and transformation of reality. They have reached 13 905 children and 10 011 adults with lectures, community events, student classes and advocacy. When measure knowledge about injury prevention, they had 6 in the pretest and 8.4 in the post-test.

Significance

The results reveal that the information was relevant to participants and really changed theirs perception about prevention of accidents involving children. A total of 90% changed their behaviour to prevent injury related to children.
Evaluation of noise producing toys and the product standard criteria
Authors: McLaren S , Parker L , Page W
Published: October 2012

Background

A selection of commercially available imported toys was assessed for acoustic safety by testing to the voluntary toy safety Standard. The results were compared to allowable noise levels for adults in a working environment.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

The aim was to establish whether the revised toy Standard sets a voluntary acoustic level which offers sufficient hearing protection for children and identify changes to protect potential hearing damage in young children in future.

Methods

A number of commercially available toys were obtained and tested for compliance with the acoustic provisions of the 2002 and 2010 V of the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1, with consideration as to how they might be played with or used.

Results/Outcome

The examination revealed that many toys produced unacceptably high noise levels. It also highlighted that the revised Standard criteria exempted squeeze toys and rattles. No acoustical criteria were included for toys promoted as enhancing educational outcomes. No tolerance levels were included in the standard to account for interpretation of data and experimental error. This suggests a failure of the Standard to provide adequate hearing protection for young children. Amendments to the criteria have been recommended.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Children may play with noisy toys for extended periods, or hold toys closer to the ear than expected by suppliers, which may be considered to be ‘reasonably foreseeable misuse’, as defined in AS/NZS ISO 8124.1. Failure to address this issue now may result in increasing incidence of early hearing impairment in future, raising questions of fiscal, educational and social cost.

Conference topic

Product safety

Conference theme

Safety design and sustainability oral presentation
Data analysis of the smart sports injury registry for high school athletes
Authors: Jang S , Liller KD , Morris B , Konin J , Wong S
Published: October 2012

Background

Due to the lack of comprehensive high school athletes' sports injury surveillance data in Florida, an injury registry was developed by the Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma Institute (SMART) of the University of South Florida (USF), utilising Simtrak software. Data are collected by SMART-hired certified athletic trainers (ATCs) placed in Florida high schools.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide the latest surveillance data (2010–2011) for injured high school athletes from the two large public high schools that have participated in the project since 2007.

Methods

The ATCs collected practice and competition exposure, injury, and treatment data for leading high school sports. Data were analyzsd using Excel and SAS (V.9.2) at USF.

Results/Outcomes

The ATCs supervised 713 athletes and were present at 1142 practices and 225 games. The leading rate of injury per 1000 athlete exposures for practices was for spring football (6.69), followed by football (2.97), and men's soccer (2.21). For competitions, the injury rates were greatest for women's track (12.4) followed by flag football (10.5), and football (9.82). Nearly 25% of the injuries were from students playing multiple sports. Sprains and strains were the leading injuries and leading body sites injured were the ankles, knees, and head.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The results of the SMART injury surveillance have led to targeted sports injury interventions and enhanced health of athletes.
Pool fencing—can Australia go much further?
Authors: Franklin RC , Peden A , Watt K , Peter P Leggat
Published: October 2012

Background

Effective pool fencing legislation is a cornerstone of child drowning prevention, but can Australia improve further?

Aims/Objective/Purpose

A) Estimate the prevalence of swimming pools per 100 households and children under 5 years per household swimming pool in Queensland.

B) Explore perceptions regarding effectiveness of updated pool fencing legislation in Queensland.

Methods

Data from the 2011 Queensland Social Survey (QSS)—were used and additional questions asked were: ‘How many children under the age of 5 years reside at your residence?’; ‘Do you have a swimming pool at your residence?; ‘How effective do you think that tightening the pool fencing legislation will be in reducing child drowning deaths?’

Results/Outcome

There were 1265 respondents (response rate=32%). 26 per 100 households had a swimming pool. 11.4% of households with a pool also had children under 5 years. 57% of respondents believed tightening pool fencing legislation would be effective in reducing child drowning deaths (22% ‘very effective’ 35% ‘effective’), 40% of respondents were either unsure or doubtful. Pool owners were significantly more likely to doubt the effectiveness of tightening the legislation. Perceptions of effectiveness of the legislation did not differ as a function of the presence of children under 5 years (p>0.5).

Significance/Contribution to the Field

Between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2011 there were fourteen children who drowned in home swimming pools in Queensland, a rate of 1.7 per 10 000 home swimming pools per annum. Pool owners were less likely to think that tightening the legislation would be effective.
Cutcut project: a response to the prevention of child drowning in the Philippines
Authors: Rolloque A , Consunji R , Perez MT , Alcantra M , Azas PD
Published: October 2012

Background

Drowning is the second leading cause of death for Filipino children 1–14-years-old. It kills more children than tuberculosis, malnutrition, diarrhoea, cancer or meningitis. 31% of all injury deaths among children 14-years-old and below are caused by drowning.

Aims/Objectives/Purpose

To be able to get data from local and national sources that will help develop widespread drowning prevention programmes and interventions in the country.

Methods

Safe Kids Philippines conducted a survey questionnaire on children to show their attitudes and perceptions on swimming and playing in Cutcut Creek, considered a dangerous waterway by the community.

Results/Outcomes

Children admitted to swimming in the creek without their parents' knowledge and permission. 59% disclosed that they would swim in the creek when it would swell after it rained. Data showed that 11 or 85% were males while only two (2) or 15% were females whose ages ranged from 5 to 14-years-old. Of those who did not swim in the creek, four (4) were males and four (4) were females; six belonged to ages 5 to 9 and only two (2) were 10 to 14 years of age. To prevent the children from going into the creek, SKP put permanent barriers and donated warning signs to the community.

Significance/Contribution to the Field

The endeavour of Safe Kids Philippines is a contribution in compliance to the Regional Framework for Action on Injury and Violence Prevention of 2008–2013 initiated by the DOH which has identified drowning prevention as a priority issue.
Coastal drowning deaths in Australia: Is a 50% reduction by 2020 within reach?
Authors: Sherker Shauna , Brighton Barbara , Thompson Matt
Published: October 2012

Objective

To describe coastal drowning death in Australia and to assess compliance with the Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) drowning reduction targets.

Design

A retrospective epidemiological review of all coastal drowning deaths in Australia from 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2011. Data was collected from the National Coroners Information System, Surf Life Saving Australia Incident Report Database (SurfGuard) and Media Monitors. Drowning projections to 2020 were estimated and tested against AWSS drowning reduction targets.

Results

The number of coastal drowning deaths in Australia from 2004–2011 was 625, or on average 89 deaths per year.The average annual drowning rate was 0.42 per 100 000 population. Most deaths were male (85.1%) and aged 20–39 years (36.4%). Most occurred in NSW (40.6%), Queensland (15.9%) and Victoria (14.8%). Common activities undertaken at the time of drowning were swimming/wading (34.1%), boating (17.6%) and rock fishing (12.4%).Of the swimming/wading related drowning, 42% involved a rip current. The projected coastal drowning rate for 2020 is 0.27 per 100 000 pop., which is a 44% reduction from the baseline coastal drowning rate of 0.48 per 100 000 pop.

Conclusions

In Australia, coastal drowning deaths are over-represented in swimming/wading, boating, and rock fishing activities. If the current trend continues, the AWSS goal of a 50% reduction in coastal drowning deaths by 2020 will not be achieved. Efforts in coastal drowning prevention must be increased. A strong focus on providing quality lifesaving services and promoting a safe coastal aquatic environment is warranted. Public education regarding rip currents, boating and fishing safety is essential.
Bath mat drowning prevention project
Authors: Campbell S , Robinson C
Published: October 2012

Background

Water presents a potentially life threatening hazard for young children in and around the home and in the wider community. Preschool children have one of the highest drowning rates of all New Zealanders with a lack of appropriate adult supervision being the primary cause of drowning incidents.

In the 5 years (2007–2011) 47 children under the age of 5 years have drowned. 53% of these drownings occurred in the home environment, predominantly a home swimming pool or the bath.

Water Safety New Zealand has partnered with Plunket in developing a campaign to create greater awareness and educate parents and caregivers on the importance of water safety for young children.

Aims

Reduce water related injuries and drowning in children under 5 in New Zealand and increase awareness for the need for constant supervision of these children in and around water.

Method

Delivery of a non-slip bath/shower mat with the bilingual message, ALWAYS SUPERVISE CHILDREN AROUND WATER—ALWAYS—‘Tiakina ngā tamariki ki te taha wai i ngā wā katoa’, to each family at the 5 month check with the Plunket Nurse combined with a discussion about water safety.

Follow up discussion takes place at the next contact between nurse and family.

Results

Over 100 000 mats delivered and drowning prevention conversations initiated with whanau. Evaluation has shown the campaign is effective. The bath mat is widely used, communicates a vital water safety message directly to new parents and is instrumental in positive attitude change.
Modifications of coin cells with anti-ingestion and encapsulation design features
Authors: Midgett J , Lee D
Published: October 2012

Background

Emergency department-treated injuries caused by ingesting coin batteries have increased two-and-a-half times in the USA since 1998. Victims are usually small children. Batteries (particularly 20 mm or greater) can lodge in the oesophagus and generate hydroxide from surrounding fluids, which can produce life-threatening injuries in 2 h. Given the widespread use of coin batteries in consumer products, a multifaceted approach to injury prevention is required.

Objective

We will demonstrate coin battery concepts that could deter ingestion or slow hydroxide formation after ingestion.

Methods

A battery with folding appendages made of sheet materials that flex outwards when the battery is removed from a device would have a greater surface area and sharper edges, which would deter ingestion. In another strategy, batteries could be insulated, sealing the battery until it is inserted into a coordinating battery compartment. This could slow or eliminate hydroxide formation. Modifications to battery compartments also may be needed. Batteries could be retrofitted for use in existing devices that lack coordinating battery compartments.

Significance

These strategies could save lives by reducing the likelihood of ingesting coin batteries or providing more time for medical intervention once swallowed. The need for consumers to retrofit batteries for their existing devices would enhance public awareness of the hazard.
Coin-sized Lithium batteries pose an emerging global burn risk to children
Authors: Kate Carr , Eric Chalmers , Ann Weaver , Pamela Fuselli , Angela Mickalide
Published: October 2012

Background

About 3500 button battery swallowing cases are reported to poison control centres in the USA each year and are an emerging risk worldwide. The most serious cases involve nickel-sized 20 mm lithium batteries which are found in remotes, key fobs, greeting cards, children's books, scales, and other common household items. These batteries can get stuck in the child's throat and burn through the oesophagus in as little as 2 h. Repairing the damage is painful and can require feeding tubes, breathing tubes and multiple surgeries. In some cases, children have died.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to measure parental awareness of the danger associated with button batteries and describe prevention campaigns underway in four countries.

Methods

A total of 557 USA parents of children ages six and under were interviewed online during February/March 2012.

Results

More than two-thirds of parents surveyed (68%) feel that button batteries pose a high level of danger. After learning about this issue, parents say they are highly likely to keep devices with button batteries out of reach of children (82%) secure devices with battery compartments (79%) and encourage other parents to do the same (66%).

Conclusions

As coin-sized lithium batteries became more widely used in household products, Safe Kids Worldwide member countries have partnered on a campaign called The Battery Controlled to raise awareness and change behaviour among adult caregivers about this little-known and emerging risk to small children.
United Nations community policing in conflicted area of Darfur Sudan
Authors: Khoso Ajmal Khan
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To elaborate community policing model used in conflicted area of Darfur Sudan.

Methods

The study is based upon the UN Security Council resolutions and policy documents of Police of United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur. The mechanism and procedure of community policing will be elaborated.

Results

The UN community policing model is based upon collaboration of local police with the community and capacity building of police to improve policing standard. Community policing is an effective tool of monitoring and reducing crime and violence in the conflict affected area.

Conclusions

There is greater need for improvement of Community Policing in conflicted areas to improve human rights standard by means of effective linkage between Police and IDPS and capacity building of Police.
Prevalence of frequent fighting among youth: a cross-national comparison of 39 countries
Authors: Monica Swahn , Lindsay Gressard , Huang Yao , Jane Palmier , Melissa Haberlen
Published: October 2012

Background

Existing youth violence research lacks an understanding of youth who engage in frequent physical fighting (>12 times per year).

Objective

Using nationally representative samples of youth, this study examined the prevalence of ‘frequent fighting’ across 39 countries.

Methods

Analyses were based on the Global School-based Student Health Survey of school-attending youth supported by the WHO and the CDC. US data from the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey were included for comparison. The surveys were conducted between 2003 and 2009 and each country dataset included more than 1000 students and was weighted to be nationally representative. Countries were categorised into the following regions: Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia, and the Western Pacific. One-way ANOVA was used to determine regional differences in frequent fighting prevalence.

Results

Among the 39 countries used in analyses, the prevalence of frequent fighting was highest in Tunisia (8.4%) and lowest in Myanmar (0.5%). One-way ANOVA and post hoc testing determined that the prevalence of frequent fighting varies significantly by region (F(2, 28)=4.12, p<0.05), with the Eastern Mediterranean having a significantly higher prevalence of frequent fighting than the Americas (p<0.05). The percentage of fighters that reported frequent fighting also varied significantly by region (F(2,28)=3.36, p<0.05), with the Eastern Mediterranean having a higher percentage of frequent fighters than Africa (p<0.05).

Significance

The prevalence of frequent fighting varied substantially across the 39 countries examined. More cross-national research is needed to better understand the context of frequent fighting and to inform youth violence prevention efforts.
Poison injury surveillance recommendations from the US safe states alliance's injury surveillance workgroup
Authors: Margaret Warner , Amber Williams
Published: October 2012

Background

Poisoning is the leading cause of injury mortality in the USA, the tenth leading cause of nonfatal injuries seen in emergency departments and a rising concern for public health. The purpose of the Safe State's Alliance's Poison Injury Surveillance Workgroup (ISW) was to promote improved surveillance around poisoning in the USA with an emphasis on drug poisonings.

Methods

The ISW was convened by the US Safe States Alliance and composed of approximately 15 expert members from private, state, federal, and national organisations. The workgroup met from mid 2009 to early 2012, primarily via teleconference, to develop consensus based recommendations for the surveillance of poisonings.

Results/Outcomes

The workgroup developed conceptual definitions of poisoning and drug poisoning and recommendations for improving poison surveillance in the US at the national, state and local levels.

Significance

Gaps in the surveillance of poisonings have been recognised which have impacted poisoning prevention and evaluation efforts. Historically, tracking of fatal and nonfatal poisonings has often been limited to the use of ICD external-cause-of-injury codes and exposure data from poison control centres. The long-term goal of the surveillance recommendations is to standardise definitions and practices among groups working to address unintentional poisonings, especially poisonings that are drug-related and provide a standard method for public health officials to understand the magnitude of the problem in their jurisdiction. This information can then be used for improved intervention planning and evaluation.
Effects of gender, indigenous status, and remoteness to health services on the occurrence of assault-related injuries in children and adolescents
Authors: Fumiko Irie , Jacelle Lang , Melissa Kaltner , Robyne Le Brocque , Justin Kenardy
Published: October 2012

Background

Assault-related injury is a devastating consequence of violence and is a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality in young age. However, reliable data sources are scarce and there has been a paucity of studies examining possible predisposing factors on the incidence of assault-related injury.

Aims

To examine the effect of gender, indigenous status and remoteness to health services on sustaining assault-related injuries in patients aged 17 years and under in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

Logistic regression analyses were conducted using data from the state-wide trauma registry from 2005 to 2008.

Results

282 assault-related injury cases were identified. Indigenous females were at the highest risk of sustaining assault-related injuries (OR: 15.3, 95% CI 8.17 to 28.6), followed by Indigenous males (OR: 6.55, 95% CI 3.60 to 11.9) and non-indigenous males (OR: 2.82, 95% CI 1.78 to 4.47). Adolescent males aged between 13–17 years were at a significantly higher risk than adolescent females of assault-related injury (OR: 2.11, 95% CI 1.34 to 3.31). For non-indigenous people, living in a regional area was associated with a lower risk of assault-related injury compared to major cities (OR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.78). Indigenous people were at higher risk of sustaining an assault-related injury than non-indigenous people in regional areas (OR: 4.8, 95% CI 3.14 to 7.42) and in remote areas (OR: 10.1, 95% CI 2.64 to 38.69).

Contribution to the Field

The current study provides evidence of interaction effects among the predisposing factors of interest and the likelihood of sustaining assault-related injury. Identifying these interactions is important for the development of effective preventive measures and trauma management plans focusing on high-risk groups who are most likely to sustain assault-related injuries in young age.
The development of the community's participation process for being safety community: case study: Baan Kor, Moo 3, Baan Kor sub-district, Muang district, Khon Kaen province, Thailand
Authors: Kulleab S
Published: October 2012

Objective

To develop the participation process of the community in order to lead it to be safety community.

Design

Participation action research was used in the study and was conducted from July 2010–June 2011.

Setting

The study was operated at a village in north-eastern region, Khon Kaen province, Thailand.

Process

There were five steps. (1) preparing the community (2) processing the collaboration (3) doing survey for finding the problems and planning to solve the problems (4) operating according to the plan (5) evaluating.

Results

After operating the process, there were no accidents happening in the community. There was only one person had other kinds of accident. 10 risky points were improved such as rate of wearing a helmet, the people had the Vehicle Act. Five pieces of toys at the playground were already modified, chemicals used were decreased, five stores in eight stores improved about selling antibiotic, combination drugs, alcoholic beverages and firecrackers at first, the environment were improve to be safety such as fencing the pool and the area around the pool and the safety rules were set. Furthermore, the plan of the community was proposed to ask for the budget from the Sub-district Administrative Organisation. The community was received the award from good health festival of Bann Kor sub-district.

Conclusions

This collaboration leads to better safety behaviours of the people. However, the promotion and continued strong support of government organisations will result in exchange of learning to expand possible results concretely and sustainably.