bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the injury prevention resource and learning needs of family resource centres
Authors: Fuselli P , Lockhart S , Belton K
Published: March 2011

The Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) and the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) offer support services to at-risk Canadian families with children ages 0–6 years.

The objectives of this project are to assess the needs of CAPC/CPNP in terms of delivering programmes on injury prevention to families across Canada. Working through an Advisory Committee, we will complete a literature review on effectiveness of such programmes in reducing injuries, conduct surveys and meetings/focus groups to determine the needs of CAPC/CPNP as well as the families they serve. We will create a report which will include our key findings, as well as an analysis of the results, and our recommendations for future resource and training needs of CAPC/CPNP.

The expected results of the project are, the CAPC/CPNP national office will have, within a population health approach

A clear understanding of the current involvement of CAPC/CPNP projects across Canada in the prevention of childhood injury (activities undertaken and resources used).

A clear understanding of diverse needs of these projects for resources and training to better equip them to address the prevention of injury in babies and young children with their participants.

CAPC/CPNP projects, provincial and national injury prevention organisations will have a better understanding of each others programmes and resources and how they may better work together on this mutual goal.
Progress in preventing injuries: from international collaboration to local implementation
Authors: Sethi D , Mitis F , Racioppi F
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Injuries and violence are the third leading cause of death in WHO European Region and pose a threat to economic and social development.

Aim and methods

The results of a 3-year collaborative project between WHO and the European Commission on progress achieved by Member States in implementing resolution EUR/RC55/R9 and the European Council Recommendation on the prevention of injuries are presented. A web-based database of country profiles was developed using a questionnaire survey completed by health ministry focal persons for injury and violence prevention. Information was provided on progress in delivering on key items of resolution EUR/RC55/R9 and on the implementation of 99 selected evidence-based programmes to prevent unintentional injury and violence and on the cross-cutting risk factors of alcohol and socioeconomic inequalities.

Results

There were responses from 47 of the 51 Member States with focal persons. Good progress is taking place, and resolution EUR/RC55/R9 has catalysed change in 75% of respondent countries. Development of national policies for individual types of injury and violence varied from 95% for road safety to 40% for preventing drowning. Implementation of evidence-based programmes for preventing all types of injury and violence varied in countries, and the median score was 73% for all these together.

Conclusions

This project reports that the health sector needs to commit more to the widespread implementation of effective programmes both in number and coverage, and to engage with other stakeholders in a multisectoral response to prevent injuries and violence.
Violence issues: education as prevention and intervention
Authors: Hoff L A
Published: March 2011

Interdisciplinary research documents the continued global incidence of violence and abuse. Besides its damaging impact on the health and mental health of individuals and families across cultures, the negative consequences of violence extend to communities and the socioeconomic status of whole nations. Yet, survey data reveal that the pivotal role of health and social service professionals in preventing violence and treating victim/survivors has not been actualised systematically primarily because most health sciences faculty do not feel adequately prepared to teach on this topic. While considerable progress on this urgent issue is evident in the health arena over the past two decades, addressing violence issues in formal curricula (theory and supervised clinical practice) to prepare future health and social service professionals for competent practice often hinges on the interest of a particular faculty member in contrast to faculty-wide adoption of this content as an essential element of the curriculum, resulting for some receiving only a single lecture on the topic. Such essentials include the public health prevention facet focusing on vulnerable population groups, and the knowledge, attitudes and skills required by clinical practitioners across disciplines to deliver crisis intervention and treatment on the front lines with victim/survivors, their families and perpetrators. An international consortium of universities in Africa, Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA, aims to alleviate this curricular deficit, building on the research perspective of education as intervention. Traditional and online teaching methods are adapted to varying socio-cultural contexts.
Fall injuries in India: a review
Authors: Malhotra S , Ivers R
Published: March 2011

A review study was carried out on fall injuries in Indian context to synthesise evidence, using electronic and manual search, in English language with key [MeSH] words: accidental falls and India. The review aimed to capture information on burden, risk factors, fall prevention interventions carried out in India. The studies available for the review were predominantly cross sectional hospital based studies. In a National report in 2007, fall injuries was responsible for 3.3% of deaths and less than 1% of injuries, highlighting an underestimated figure and problems in official data. A comprehensive community based study in rural Andhra Pradesh reported fall injuries to be second most common (20.1%) and was commonest non-fatal injury (38.8%) reported among all injuries. As per Bengaluru Injury Surveillance Programme, there were 9% deaths and 10% hospitalisations in a ratio of 1:25 for fatal and non-fatal injuries. Data from other hospital based studies also point out towards commonality of fall injuries among children and elderly especially females. Limited small scale studies have been done to associate falls and resulting injuries, disabilities, psychological stress due to brain; maxillofacial trauma and fractures. Chronic co-existent illnesses, use of drugs, poor gait and joint problems among elderly, alcohol in adults and poor housing situation in children are risk factors associated with falls. Limited evidence exists in regard to interventions and its impact in the population. There is an urgent need to carry out larger community based epidemiological studies to fill the information gaps.
Focus group research mothers perception × accidents reality
Authors: Riccie F , Franoia A
Published: March 2011

The study hereby presented, was developed in 2008. The goal was to analyse the differences between the perception of the mothers related to childhood non-intentional injury prevention and the reality of the numbers of deaths. The source was with 16 groups of mothers of children 0–14 years old, from low and middle income families in four cities (Recife, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba) in 2008; and a mortality and morbidity data analyses from Ministry of Health/DATASUS (2005). These studies were compared and revealed important differences between the perception and the numbers of non-intentional injuries related to children. For example, it became evident the lack of knowledge among mothers related to the high incidence of deaths and hospitalisations due to accidents, while numbers shows that accidental injuries are the principal cause of death and the third cause of hospitalisation, to children 1–14 years old. Another matter highlighted by the research was the relation between accidents and violence. According to the study, in general, accidents tend to be perceived by mothers as isolated events and/or less serious than violence. However, numbers shows that in 2005, 7.395 children die victims of external causes (violence + accidents) and 79% of these deaths were due to accidents. In the case of hospitalisations, the percentage was even bigger 93%. The research also has created a great opportunity to generate more visibility to the cause, being publicised in more than 30 communication medias, local and nationals.
GIS and IS based traffic accident in Khonkaen Municipality, Thailand
Authors: Tippayanate N
Published: March 2011

Khon Kaen Hospital, has been developed the Injury Surveillance (IS) system since 1989 and the Geographic Information System (GIS) since 1998. Beyond these database, the most common causes of the traffic crash was human error (ie, drunk driver 37%, non-helmet driver 50%, non-seatbelt used 75%), moreover the road environment were also impact on the number of crashes.

Objectives

This study aimed to monitor and evaluation the provincial road safety action and utilises the results for traffic injury prevention.

Method

Both IS and GIS information were distributed to the provincial road safety committee and implemented to road side by road safety auditor and municipality road safety team, then re-evaluated by those databases. It was retrospective data of the traffic injuries in Khon Kaen municipality, registered to the hospital from 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2009. By using IS and GIS software and analysed by descriptive study.

Results

It was 256 road sections and 62 intersections in whole municipality. Within 2.5 years, the 1540 injuries were indicated the increasing injury rate in 15 intersections and eight road sections were distributed to the committee and then notified for road safety auditing.

Recommendation

The GIS and IS database were effective tools to monitor and evaluate the road safety outcome.
Collision investigations of child pedestrians or cyclists stuck by motor vehicles:
Authors: Rothman L , Lee V , Howard A
Published: March 2011

Background

Collisions involving child pedestrians and cyclists represent a large injury burden in Canadians less than 14 years of age. Although motor vehicle collision studies investigating occupants and their injuries are well-established, collisions involving child pedestrians/cyclists have not been reconstructed in this manner. The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for investigation of child cyclist and pedestrian collisions in order to reconstruct crash events based on data at the scene and medical assessment in hospital, and to discuss potential countermeasures.

Methods

Children aged 4–15 were included in the study if they were a pedestrian or cyclist involved in a collision with a motor vehicle and as a result, were admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) in Toronto, Canada or stayed in the emergency department for over 12 h between 3 July 2007 and 31 October 2008. Crash scene investigations were performed by a collision investigator in collaboration with the Toronto Police Traffic Services Division. Medical trauma data collection was done via the child's medical charts at the HSC.

Results

Three child pedestrian and one child cyclist versus motor vehicle collisions were successfully reconstructed. Mechanisms of injury were determined.

Discussion

Investigations of child pedestrian and cyclist versus motor vehicle collisions provide useful insights regarding injury profiles and countermeasures. There were numerous inadequacies in the built-environment which set the stage for these collisions. Focus of countermeasures for prevention of child pedestrian and cyclist injuries should be directed at the built environment.
Gendered analysis of fathers injury prevention attitudes and practices
Authors: Brussoni M , Olsen L , Sheftel D , George A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

How fathers engage in risk-taking and safety-related behaviours with their young children plays an important role in injury prevention. Concepts addressed through this gendered analysis included: negotiation of gender roles related to responsibility for child safety, consensus on acceptable risk and fathers perceptions of masculinity.

Purpose

To explore fathers perceptions of gender roles and parental beliefs about safety. To explore the impact of dominant masculine ideals on fathers safety-related attitudes and practices.

Method

Interviews with fathers of children aged 2–7 years in British Columbia, Canada probed their roles and activities with children, perceptions of risk taking and overprotection, parental responsibilities for child safety. Grounded theory methods guided data analysis.

Results

A diverse sample of 32 fathers was interviewed. Fathers identified themselves as protectors with responsibilities for child safety, but focused on outdoor versus home arenas. Many fathers described themselves as more accepting of risks than mothers, though the opposite was also true for some. Mothers were a major source of comfort after injury while fathers focused on assessing seriousness of the injury and teaching. For some fathers, physical consequences of injuries were celebrated as battle scars. For others, children's needs for comforting were dominant.

Conclusion

The findings promote understanding of fathers perceptions of their roles as protectors within the gendered family. Conceptions of masculinity provide a way of understanding fathers beliefs around injury prevention. Helpful ideals can be harnessed for positive action while others need to be considered in designing programmes.
Obesity and the risk of death during traffic collisions
Authors: Rice T M , Zhu M
Published: March 2011

Objective

Obesity is also known to increase morbidity and decrease quality of life. While there is a large body of research on the health consequences of obesity, few studies have looked at how obesity affects traffic collision injury risk. The goal of this study was to estimate the effect of obesity on death risk during severe collisions.

Methods

A matched-pair cohort study was conducted using data for years 1999–2008 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a national fatal collision data system. Identified were 24 936 pairs of adult drivers involved in two-vehicle collisions in which the vehicles were of similar type and size. Risk ratios for death were estimated for body mass index (BMI) quintiles using conditional Poisson regression.

Results

Drivers in the lowest BMI quintile (BMI 12.9–21.5; RR 1.15, p=0.08) and the highest quintile (BMI 29.4–71.4; RR 1.28 p=0.002) appeared to have an elevated risk of death, compared with drivers in the lowest normal-weight quintile (BMI 21.5–23.9), adjusted for age, sex, seat belt use, air bag deployment, seat belt-air bag interaction and collision type.

Conclusions

Underweight and obese vehicle occupants may be at higher risk of death than normal-weight occupants when involved in severe traffic collisions. The ability of passenger vehicles to protect obese occupants may have particular important public health implications, given the ongoing obesity epidemic in the USA.
Potentially preventable trauma deaths by the use of seat belt
Authors: Penuelas J E , Verdugo-Correa J E , Gil-Pineda J A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The usefulness of the seat belt has been widely proven in the world; it avoids the ejection of the passenger and the second impact.

In the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, the prevalence of the seat belt use is 19% and the mortality by traffic incidents is 28 per 100 000 people.

In our incidents studies, we have found that many deaths could have been avoided by the use of seat belt.

Objective

To estimate the number of deaths by crash or rollover incidents that were potentially preventable by the use of seat belt.

Material and methods

Analysis of the deaths by crash or rollover in the state of Sinaloa in the year 2006.

Classification of the deaths as potentially preventable according to the following criteria: respected vital space in the vehicle cabin (photography material), victim passenger that were not using seat belt, ejected or not ejected, but not pressed, between 12 and 65 years old, not burned, not drowned.

Results

In the year 2006, 761 deaths by traffic incidents were registered. 421 of these deaths were by crash or rollover. From these, 153 filled the criteria to be classified as potentially preventable: 73 by ejection and 80 by second impact.

Conclusions

153 deaths (36.3%) were considered potentially preventable with the seat belt use. We recommend to intensify programmes to increase its use and further studies to strengthen the evidence.
Cost effectiveness analysis of playground surfacing at preventing arm fractures in a randomised study
Authors: Rothman L , Macpherson A , Howard A
Published: March 2011

Background

Upper extremity fractures resulting from playground falls are commonly seen in emergency departments. A 2-year randomised surfacing trial conducted in 19 schools in Toronto, Canada, found that the risk of fracture from playground equipment falls was 4.9 times lower in schools with granite sand playground surfacing (0.019/1000 student months) compared to engineered wood fibre (EWF; 0.094/1000 student months). A subsequent analysis was conducted to determine the cost effectiveness of granite sand in reducing arm fractures in school playgrounds.

Methods

The Ontario Case Costing Initiative provided hospital costs. Physician service costs were obtained from the Ontario Health Insurance Schedule of Benefits. The Toronto District School Board provided costs of installation and maintenance for each surface type. Total cost was calculated per 1000 student months, by combining treatment costs with surfacing costs. Cost saved per fracture prevented was calculated.

Results

The total cost of surfacing and injury was $890.61 for sand and $949.00 per 1000 student months for EWF. Although the cost of surfacing was greater for sand ($887.14 vs $841.83 for EWF), the cost per injury was substantially lower for those injured on sand ($3.47 vs $107.17 for EWF). Sand surfacing resulted in 0.08/1000 fractures prevented. The total cost saving per fracture prevented with sand was $779.00.

Discussion

Both healthcare and schools are publicly funded in Toronto through the provincial government. The installation of sand surfacing in school playgrounds would generate a cost savings to the public, while substantially reducing the number of arm fractures.
Behaviour based safety in Indian organisations
Authors: Kaila H L
Published: March 2011

This is a qualitative survey of 1500 executives and 400 workers based on an in-depth personal interviews and structured questionnaire using open-ended questions in a period of 10 years between 1997 and 2009 across Indian organizations (including petroleum, steel, cement, power, chemical etc) in 55 organisations in order to review the behaviour based safety in organizations. The narratives of executives and workers have provided a broad base in understanding behaviour based safety in Indian organisations. The implications are underlined for better organisational safety performance. This paper shall be useful in understanding and application of the concept and process of behaviour based safety for safety professionals and everyone who is concerned about correcting unsafe behaviours for reduction of accidents and promoting safe behaviours for developing injury-free culture in their organizations. The present paper is a pert of an on-going national action research project on the subject.
Pattern and trend of trauma in a tertiary health institution: an 8 year review
Authors: Ogundipe O K , AbdurRahman O L , Solagberu B A , Ofoegbu K P C , Adekanye A A
Published: March 2011

Background

Trauma is common and world wide, with varying causes and consequences. It constitutes a significant portion of presentation to the surgical accident and emergency units. Keeping databases enhance plans for preventive measures.

Method

An 8 year review of our institutional trauma database was carried out to determine the injury pattern and trend.

Result

Sixty-nine point seven percent of 13 755 patients presenting to the accident and emergency unit over an 8 year period presented on account of trauma. Of these, 72.7% were males and 26.7% were females. Six point four percent, 8.6%, 5.9%, 70.5% and 5.8% of the patients were in the age range 0 4, >4–10, >10–15, >15–55 and >55 years respectively. Road traffic injuries (RTIs), falls and assault were the commonest causes of trauma responsible for 61.0%, 10.9% and 8.5% of the injuries respectively. Drivers, pedestrians and passengers accounted for 21.1%, 23.4% and 55.5% of the victims of RTIs. Fall was the single most common cause of injuries among toddlers, followed by RTIs and burns. Assault and gunshot injuries were commonest among the >15–55 years age group. There is no statistically significant appreciable change in the trend of the various trauma types over the years.

Conclusion

Trauma still remains a major problem, with RTI the leading cause. Centres with no trauma databases are challenged to do so. Preventive measures should be made more focused to obtain reduction in injury prevalence.
Injury and spatial epidemiology of severe adult trauma: implications for prevention
Authors: Charyk-Stewart T , Tanner D A , Gilliland J , Healy M , Williamson J , McKenzie S , Girotti M J , Fraser D D
Published: March 2011

Background

Identifying who is injured within a geographic region, by what mechanism, is essential for injury prevention (IP). Our objective was to define the injury and spatial epidemiology of severe adult traumas to prioritise and target initiatives.

Methods

Epidemiologic profiles were generated for severely injured (ISS>12) adult (≥18 years) patients treated at Lead Trauma Hospitals (LTH) in Southwestern Ontario, 2004–2009. Sub-analysis was undertaken by age groups (18–24; 25–64; 65+ years). Injury cases were mapped by patient residence and place of injury to examine spatial relationships.

Results

LTHs resuscitated 2804 severely injured adults (15% young adult, 55% adult, 30% senior; 72% male). Patient residences were dispersed throughout SWO, with clusters in cities and lower-income areas. MVCs accounted for 61% and 46% of injuries among young adults and adults, respectively. Only 60% of injured-occupants wore a seatbelt; 24% of drivers had a BAC above the legal limit. MVCs were overly concentrated on high-density urban areas with highly mixed land uses. Alcohol was involved with nearly one-third of non-senior severe injury (48% of assaults; 34% of crashes). Falls were the leading injury mechanism for seniors (68%); 67% occurred at home. Only 6% of patients were injured at work, half involved falls. Mortality was 15%, with 42% fall-related deaths.

Conclusion

Integrating injury epidemiology with geographic data on patients daily surroundings allowed for the identification of socio-spatial variations in injury patterns among vulnerable groups. This approach identified MVCs, falls and alcohol use as IP priorities to be targeted to the populations and regions of greatest need.
USA–China Agricultural Injury Research Training
Authors: Stallones L , Xiang H , Wang Z
Published: March 2011

In 2004, an epidemiologic study of 200 000 farm families yielded an annual estimate of 592 000 injury deaths and 3 490 000 permanent disabled individuals in rural areas of China. Injury control and prevention has only recently been included in curriculum at a few universities, with even fewer focusing on agricultural injuries. The specific aims of the USA–China Agricultural Injury Research Program are: (1) to provide training to Chinese scholars on issues critical for reducing agricultural injuries; (2) to expand collaborative research activities between the Colorado Injury Control Research Center, the Center for Injury Research and Policy at The Ohio State University, the Tongji Injury Control Research Center and other researchers in China; and (3) to provide training and continue development of human subjects research ethics. The long term goal of the project is to increase training and research related to agricultural injuries in China in order to develop an infrastructure for future sustainable agricultural injury research. The programme provides short term training in China and trained 79 mid level and senior researchers in 2007–2009. Scholars attending the short courses are invited to apply for further training in the USA and to date five Chinese researchers have spent between 3 and 12 months in the USA furthering their training. A total of seven agricultural injury research projects have been funded by the training programme. The presentation will provide a description of the findings from the research and evaluation results from the training programme.
The phenomenon of woundings and shootings in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Romany S
Published: March 2011

The presentation examines the phenomenon of Woundings and Shootings (W&S) utilising data for 2007–2009 from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and other agencies. The data is categorised by civilian, uniformed personnel, age, gender and location. The categories are analysed for patterns of occurrence and levels of frequency by community and Police district.

The results are compared to a similar analysis of data from the previous 3-year period to detect patterns in this phenomenon, especially the frequency of occurrence in lower-income communities.

On the basis of the analysis and results, recommendations are made to reduce the incidents of W&S, taking into account the cultural sensitivities and environment of the affected communities.
Probability of multiple fractures in childhood
Authors: Howard A , Johnston L , Rothman L
Published: March 2011

Background

Fractures are common in childhood and yet little data exists on the probability of experiencing multiple fractures during childhood. Such data are important because multiple childhood fractures may indicate a correctable condition in the host child. An example of such a condition would be compromised bone health, due to genetic potential and/or vitamin D insufficiency in the diet. This would have important implications for prevention. Our objective was to empirically determine fracture risk and the cumulative risk of multiple fractures by year of age during childhood.

Methods

We obtained population based age incidence counts of all fractures from the Ambulatory Care Reporting System in the province of Ontario, Canada for boys and for girls from ages 0 through 15. We used the counts to estimate age specific fracture probabilities. Using combinatoric methods we calculated the probabilities of having zero, one, two, or three or more fractures at each age between 0 and 15.

Results

By the age of 15, 72.6% of children should have no fractures; 23.5% one fracture, 3.5% two fractures and 0.34% should have three or more fractures. Age specific probabilities for all years are in the paper.

Conclusion

If fractures were distributed at random in the population, very few children (under 0.34%) would be expected to have three or more fractures. Three fractures in childhood, or two before the age of 6, may be a threshold at which host factors can be sought in the child or family to inform the prevention of future fractures.
The impact of area socioeconomic inequity on serious injury in Victoria
Authors: Clapperton A , Cassell E
Published: March 2011

Social factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) are increasingly being viewed as fundamental causes of premature death and illness and there is a growing body of evidence linking residential location with health outcomes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the SES of the area in which a person lives and their risk of hospitalisation for injury.

Local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria are assigned to SES deciles by the Australian Bureau of Statistics based on a composite measure of SES devised by the Bureau. For this research the deciles were combined to form quintiles. All individuals living in an LGA were assigned the same SES ranking ranging from 1 to 5 (1=most disadvantaged through 5=least disadvantaged) and their risk of injury compared overall and in broad age groups.

The effect of area SES on injury risk varied substantially by age, gender and injury cause. Injury hospital admission rates were generally lowest in the least disadvantaged quintile of LGAs but not often highest in the most disadvantaged quintile of LGAs. The regression analysis showed that, overall, persons living in the more disadvantaged areas were significantly more likely to be hospitalised than persons in the least disadvantaged areas for transport injury (incident rate ratio range 1.18–1.36), machinery-related injury (1.50–1.83), fire/burns/scalds (1.25–1.61) and assaultive injury (1.20–1.77). These injury causes account for 20% of injury hospital admissions.
Participatory photographic risk assessment for child injury prevention
Authors: de Vos P
Published: March 2011

The workshop will share the findings and key methodological lessons from a participatory project that used photographic and narrative methods to explore youth perspectives on the causes of childhood injuries in Tanzania.

Over the course of several weeks, students from Green Acres Secondary School explored and documented risk factors to child injury in Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam. The project used photovoice and consensus-based methods to stimulate reflection on injury. Photovoice is an innovative community engagement technique that uses cameras as documentary tools and employs photographs as catalysts for empowerment and social change.

The process involved five stages: (1) the students were taught basic photo techniques and ethical principles and given cameras to explore causes of injuries for children and youth in their community; (2) they selected the images that they felt most accurately reflected their individual and collective perspectives on injury risk; (3) they shared stories in small group discussions about the pictures they had chosen; (4) they identified common themes that cut across the multiple stories and images; and finally (5) they reflected on the root causes and possible community solutions to these problems.

Throughout the process, they were asked to explore a series of critical questions such as: What do we see here? What is really happening? How does this relate to our lives? Why does this problem or strength exist? What can we do about it?

The project demonstrated the potential of using photovoice and story-telling techniques for injury prevention and community development.
Road safety for commercial fleet
Authors: Quiros D Serrano
Published: March 2011

This programme is based on accident prevention for Vehicle Commercial Fleet in order to reduce lost days due to disability from road accidents. Driving a commercial vehicle represents major risk due to its characteristics: lack of preventive maintenance, prolonged times of driving and bad driving practices.

This programme consists of:

safe driver profile

medical control

preventive maintenance

social responsibility and projection to the community

disclosure and training workshops on road safety

risks identification and assessment

It began as an integral experimental project within DHL Global Forwarding, a company with a vast vehicle fleet in 2004. During that year, the lost days due to road accidents were 247; while in 2005 it improved by having 115 lost days. In 2006 this number dropped down to 67 days and as of now, the count is as of 0 days lost due to road accidents.

Strategies to follow

To present this programme for its reproducibility in different sectors. The strategy is that of disclosure in forums, schools, civil community and interested governments in order to achieve better road behaviour.

This programme had been declared as of Scientific Interest in different International Forums:

9th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Mexico, 2008)

I Iberian-American Congress for Road Safety (Costa Rica, 2008)

I Forum of Regional Actors for Road Safety in Latin America and the Caribbean (Costa Rica, 2007)

International Congress of Transportation and Urban Development of the Americas (Costa Rica, 2006).
Recent developments in behavioural research and prevention of childhood injuries
Authors: Morrongiello B , Schwebel D C , Kendrick D , Gielen A , Towner E
Published: March 2011

In most developed nations, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children. In this symposium, an international panel of speakers will present behavioural research designed to promote safe environments and equitable communities for children by modifying environments and/or care giver behaviours to reduce children's exposure to injury risks. Denise Kendrick (UK) will overview evidence relating the effectiveness of home safety education and the provision of safety equipment to care giver safety practices and reductions in children's risk of injury, including mention of factors associated with effectiveness of these interventions. Working at the community level, Andrea Gielen (USA) will present data from intervention research involving partnership of university and community groups, with the goal of preventing home injuries to children in low income communities by promoting the adoption of evidence-based home-safety practices. Barbara Morrongiello (Canada) will present research addressing care giver supervision as an injury risk-reducing strategy. She will present results from an randomised controlled trial designed to increase parental home supervision of young children by targeting pertinent beliefs and attitudes regarding childhood injuries, children's behavioural development and care giver supervision. Finally, David Schwebel (USA) will present research regarding the use of simulated drowning audits to improve lifeguard surveillance at community swimming pools in both low and upper income neighbourhoods. Elizabeth Towner (UK) will serve as Discussant. In that role, she will provide an integrative framework for behavioural approaches in child injury prevention and identify future research needs in the area.
Randomised controlled trial of thermostatic mixer valves in reducing bath hot tap water temperature in families with young children in social housing
Authors: Kendrick D , Stewart J , Coupland C , Towner E , Hayes M , Gibson D , Ryan J , Odonnell G
Published: March 2011

Background

Hot bath water scalds are a serious problem in the UK, and thermal injuries disproportionately affect disadvantaged families. TMVs are designed to reduce bath tap water temperature and scald risk. Their use in private homes has not been tested using a randomised design.

Method

RCT undertaken in collaboration with Glasgow Housing Association. Families with young children were randomised to (a) intervention arm (I)=TMV fitted to the bath water supply pipes and educational leaflets, or (b) control arm (C)=TMV fitted at end of the trial. The primary outcome measure was bath hot tap water temperature at 3 and 12 months post intervention. Secondary outcome measures included acceptability and bath safety practices.

Results

Intervention arm families had a significantly lower median water temperature at 3 and 12 months follow up than control arm families (3 months: I=45.0C (IQR 45.0C, 46.0C), C=56.0C (IQR 52.0C, 59.0C), p<0.001; 12 months: I=46.0C (IQR 45.3C, 46.0C), C=55.0C (IQR 52.0C, 58.0C), p<0.001). They were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their bath hot water temperature (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.93), less likely to report their water was too hot (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.68) and less likely to check the temperature of every bath (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.97). Seven (15%) families reported problems with their TMV.

Conclusion

TMVs reduce bath hot tap water temperatures and are acceptable to families. Housing providers should consider fitting TMVs in their properties and legislators should consider mandating their use.
Use of data linkage in developing injury surveillance system in Tanzania
Authors: Kishashu Y M , Franzblau A , Robins T , Smith G
Published: March 2011

Background

Injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability in developing countries (Krug, 1999). Data on the impact of injuries on society have been non-existent in most developing countries, a situation likely to account for slow recognition of injuries as a public health problem by decision and policy-makers (Mock, 1995). This study, which was conducted in Tanzania, sought to describe patterns of severe traumatic work-related injuries; identify their causes and risk factors; evaluate the quality of reporting and recording work-related injuries and; identify strategies for their prevention and control in Tanzania and other developing countries.

Methods

Data were collected through structured interviews with 1385 injury cases admitted in the largest trauma hospital in Tanzania from March 2007 to March 2008. Detailed information was collected after work-relatedness of a case was established. Information from interviews was linked with hospital records, workers compensation and police data.

Findings

A total of 638 (46%) injury cases were classified as work-related injuries, and majority were male-workers (93%). Linkage identified 138 (10%) cases that were initially not identified as work-related. Based on minimum injury dataset, workers compensation data source had the most comprehensive injury dataset followed by hospital data source.

Conclusions

Systems in place for collecting and recording injury data, lack nationally agreed guidelines for defining, reporting and recording injury information among the injury data sources in Tanzania. Injury surveillance systems in low-income countries such as Tanzania could be developed using data linkages.
Skydiving culture and its relation to injury risks and injury reporting
Authors: Sjling M , Westman A , Saveman B I
Published: March 2011

This article explores some aspects of the Swedish skydiving culture and its relation to injury risks and injury reporting. The reference frame emerging from the analyses encompasses experiences of joy, passion and playfulness; and of injury, suffering and death. For the individual the risk of injury is viewed as an integrated element of the recreational activity, counterbalanced by its recreational value. From the findings we suggest that Swedish skydiving culture on an organisational level is carried by the local club; not the national association. Though the association has far-reaching powers over the clubs, skydiving culture at the local drop zone and formal and informal hierarchical structures among skydivers are what really decide how rules are enforced, and if incidents and injuries are reported.
Occupational safety in the late XIX century – is history approach useful for present research and practice on injury control and prevention?
Authors: Gascon E
Published: March 2011

The Commission of Social Reforms was established in December 1883 as the first Spanish official institution to take charge of the study and to offer solutions to the so called social question. The objectives of this study are to describe and analyse the information about occupational injuries and safety conditions of working-class population in Spain at the end of 19th century. The study methods of the Commission of Social Reforms were based on the current scientific advances at that epoch, coming from the development of the Sociology, essential for a scientific knowledge about the real situation of society. A total of 48 county level commissions and 29 local commissions were set up. A questionnaire was designed and organised in 32 sections including a total of 223 questions. Section V was called disabled from work and included 10 open-ended questions related with occupational health and safety. A content analysis of the questions was performed. Some of the preliminary data of this research showed that the safety conditions of factories, workshops, brickwork industry, were quite deficient with a permanent exposition to injuries all around the different counties in Spain. As an example, a situation in the heavy industry is described as follows: there is a lack of clear space and a machinery accumulation that not allow to walk around; there are not scaffolds or devices for handling the mechanisms without risk; in many places children are in charge of the machinery care and inspection.
Bicycle injuries: a matter of mechanism and age
Authors: Siman-Tov M , Jaffe D H , Peleg K
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Bicycle riding is a popular form of recreation with positive health and environmental consequences. These road users are vulnerable to serious injuries, especially when motor vehicles are involved.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to characterise cyclist-related injuries according to motor vehicle involvement for adults versus children.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried using data from 11 trauma centres in the Israeli National Trauma Registry (2001–2007). Injury mechanism was classified according to motor vehicle involvement and differences in injury characteristics were assessed for adults (18+ years) versus children (1–17 years).

Results

A total of 5529 patients were hospitalised for bicycle injuries, of which 1765 were adults and 3764 were children. Thirty percent (n=1662) of all bicycle injuries involved motor vehicle and adults were 1.3 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle-related bicycle accident than children (95% CI 1.16 to 1.49). Injury characteristics and hospital resource utilisation differed substantially by age group. Cyclists struck by a motor vehicle presented with multiple injuries, utilised more hospital resources and had worse outcomes than those not involved with motor vehicles. The interaction effect between motor vehicle involvement and age was significant for torso injuries and imaging tests.

Conclusions

Injury characteristics, hospital resource utilisation and health-related outcomes for bicycle injuries are highly dependent on patient's age and mechanism of injury. Effect modification of motor vehicle involvement by age may reflect physician's attitudes towards paediatric imaging.
Health technology assessment for preventing patient falls in hospitals
Authors: Nielsen A K D
Published: March 2011

Background

Patient falls are frequent and costly in terms of both financial and personal costs, and account for 10% of the reported adverse events.

Methods

The Danish HTA approach includes an evaluation of the prerequisites for and consequences of implementing health technology. The evaluation covers technologies, patients perspectives, organisational aspects and economic evaluation. Technologies included both risk assessment tools (RAT) and fall preventive interventions. A systematic literature search was carried out in 13 international databases including Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Cinahl, Psychinfo etc.

Results

The literature did not present evidence that RAT were effective in distinguishing between fallers and non-fallers. One systematic review found evidence of a possible 18% reduction in risk of falls when interventions were multiple, that is, included several interventions. There was a limited amount of literature concerning patients perspectives and organisational aspects of fall prevention in hospitals. Also, the topics in patient- and organisational literature did not focus on the interventions that were identified as effective. Hospital costs were estimated based on the literature. Preventing a fall was estimated to cost approximately 7000. The average price of a patient fall from a hospital perspective was 400.

Conclusions

Based on the systematic literature search for this HTA, it is recommended to implement multiple interventions for fall prevention. It is important, to include monitoring of local effectiveness along with assessments of patients preferences, organisational prerequisites and economic consequences of introducing multiple interventions for fall prevention.
The prevention and control of road traffic injuries in rural communities: input from community health workers in rural Twiserkan, Iran
Authors: Rezapur-Shahkolai F , Naghavi M , Shokouhi M , Laflamme L
Published: March 2011

Preventing road traffic injuries (RTIs) in rural areas poses particular challenges. This study highlights potential countermeasures and barriers as identified by health workers responsible for local community health and safety matters. The study enrolled the rural health workers of Twiserkan district (Iran), all of whom (n=nearly 100) were trained for the purpose of prospectively compiling data on any severe injury occurring in their catchment population over a 6-month period, proposing preventive measures and identifying potential barriers. The data collection ended with a questionnaire session covering similar issues but addressed in more general terms. The health workers emphasised the adoption of safe behaviour/practice as an important means for RTI prevention (90%), with a focus on motorcycle helmet use and compliance with traffic rules. Their suggestions covered the three Es education, engineering and enforcement. They saw their own contribution as being health and safety educators and promoters. The barriers they identified dealt with both individual and environmental factors. Health workers are in a good position to identify both a variety of context-relevant countermeasures for RTI control and prevention and potential barriers to their implementation and uptake.
Prescribed medicines and the risk of road traffic crashes: results of a French registry-based study
Authors: Orriols L , Delorme B , Gadegbeku B , Tricotel A , Contrand B , Laumon B , Salmi L R , Lagarde E
Published: March 2011

Background

There is a growing concern over the impact of medicines on the risk of road traffic crashes. The French Health Products Safety Agency established a classification of medicines affecting driving abilities, using a labelling system with 4 levels of risk.

Objective

To investigate the association between prescribed medicine use and the risk of road traffic crashes, providing risk and attributable fraction estimates, with particular focus on the French labelling system.

Methods

We matched data from three exhaustive nation-wide databases: the database on medicine reimbursing, police reports and the database of injurious crashes. Drivers involved in an injurious crash in France, from July 2005 to May 2008, and identified by their national healthcare number were included. We studied prescribed medicines grouped according to the four levels of the French classification (level 0 to level 3). We performed a responsibility and a case-crossover analysis.

Results

72 685 drivers were included. The results showed an increased risk of being responsible for a crash for users of medicines of level 2 (OR=1.31 [1.24 to 1.40]) and level 3 (OR=1.25 [1.12 to 1.40]). The fractions of road traffic crashes attributable to levels 2 and 3 medicine use were 2.9% (2.3–3.4%) and 0.6% (0.3–0.8%) respectively.

Conclusion

Users of level 2 and 3 medicines are at increased risk of experiencing a road traffic crash. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the French labelling system.