bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term consequence of injury on self-rated health
Authors: Laursen B , Müller H
Published: March 2011

Background

Knowledge on long-term consequences of injury on health is vital when injury prevention policies and emergency care are planned. However, few studies have described lasting health consequences associated with injury. This study analyses the relationship between injury and self-assessed health up to ten years postinjury.

Methods

The study makes use of health interview survey information linked with data from hospital registries. Using this database the health of a group of Danish injury patients involved in accidents during 1995–2005 was compared to a non-injured group up to 10 years postinjury. The association between self-assessed general health and self-reported depression and injury-related factors was estimated using logistic regression.

Results

The ORs of poor self-assessed general health and self-reported depression were 1.83 (CI 1.53 to 2.19) and 1.33 (1.14 to 1.54), respectively, among injury patients compared to non-injured. Though decreasing with time, the effect of injury on general health was significant up to 10 years after the injury. The injury type was significantly related to health, with back, head and neck patients reporting poor general health in particular. No gender differences were found in the effect of injury on self-assessed health.

Conclusions

Injuries have lasting consequences for physical and mental health up to 10 years after the injury event, in particular for people sustaining head, neck and back injuries. Sustaining an injury has the same effect on general health in men and women.
A study on taxi drivers as the first responders to emergency situations in South Korea
Authors: Lee C , Cho J
Published: March 2011

The first responder to an emergency situation is the first person in the accident scene, who, along with the people in charge of emergency management, clinical care, public works and health and other skilled support personnel is responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence and the environment. Even though taxi drivers often witness emergency situations, however, and early resuscitation can result in high long-term survival rates, they tend to avoid such situations or not respond to them. In this study, the frequency of taxi drivers exposure and response to emergency situations was determined, and the factors that stand in the way of their extending assistance to the emergency victims they encounter were identified. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the 501 taxi drivers enrolled in this study, 82.5% of whom have encountered emergency situations at least once a year but only 48.2% of whom have extended assistance to the emergency victims they have encountered. The most important reason cited by 71.4% of the respondents for not extending assistance to the victims in such situations was lack of knowledge regarding how to extend emergency assistance and the avoidance of getting entangled in legal matters. The related education contents that the respondents indicated they want to learn to be able to extend assistance in emergency situations were cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to manage unconscious people, people experiencing seizure and the victims of traffic accidents. It is expected that based on the results of this study, an education program that will enable taxi drivers to participate actively in rescuing emergency victims will be formulated and implemented so that better emergency medical service can be achieved, and that reasonable rewards for drivers who help emergency victims will be drawn.
Development and evaluation of educational programs in the field of road traffic safety
Authors: Lesnikowska-Matusiak I , Dabrowska-Loranc M
Published: March 2011

The aim of the paper is to present the principles of development and evaluation of educational programs and teaching aids assigned for school education of children in the range of road safety. The basis for developing road safety educational programs is determining the goals resulting from analysis of road accident data, dangers, behaviour observations and development stages of specific traffic participants, and also needs/expectations of the society. It is crucial for these programs to have a modular structure, which enables the realisation of each module by different persons, or the exchange of particular module without the necessity of changing the whole program. Classes in the field of forming skills and behaviours should be organised in the real road traffic. Road safety educational programs and teaching aids should be the subject of evaluation with the use of adequate methods and research tools, such as: inquiry, questionnaire, knowledge testing, risk awareness testing, behaviour testing, behaviour observations, road accidents data in order to maintain effectiveness and minimise the time, effort and costs regarding elaboration and implementation. Questions which need to be answered at the evaluation stage depend on whether the evaluation is connected with full implementation of the program or with the program in the elaboration stage and also on the stage of its elaboration. At the early stages of programs elaboration simple evaluation on small scale is crucial, while for the implemented programs or fully elaborated ones it is inevitable to have broader evaluation at applying criteria regarding behaviours and accidents.
Burden of injury in childhood and adolescence in Europe
Authors: Polinder S , Haagsma J A , Toet H , Brugmans M J P , Van Beeck E F
Published: March 2011

Background

Injury is the major cause of death and suffering among children and adolescents, but awareness of the problem and political commitment for preventive actions remain unacceptably low. We have assessed variation in the burden of injuries in childhood and adolescence in eight European countries.

Methods

Hospital, emergency department and mortality databases of injury patients aged 0–24 years were analyzed for Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and the UK (England, Wales). Years lost due to premature mortality (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated.

Results

Differences in the burden of injury in childhood and adolescence are large, with a fourfold gap between the safest countries (Netherlands and UK) in western-Europe and the relatively unsafe countries (Latvia and Slovenia) in the east. Variation between countries is attributable to high variation in premature mortality (YLL varied from 1458 per 1000 persons) and disability (YLD varied from 310 per 1000 persons). Highest burden is observed among males ages 15–24. If childhood and adolescence injuries are reduced to the level of current best injury prevention practices, 6 DALYs per 1000 child years can be avoided.

Conclusions

Injuries in childhood and adolescence cause a high disability and mortality burden in Europe. In all developmental stages large inequalities between west and east are observed. Potential benefits up to almost 1 million healthy child years gained across Europe are possible, if proven ways for prevention are more widely implemented. Our children deserve action now.
Violence-related injuries in emergency departments in Brazil, 2006
Authors: Gawryszewski V P , da Silva M M Alves , Malta D C , Kegler S R , Mercy J A , Mascarenhas M D M , de Morais Neto O L
Published: March 2011

Mortality and hospitalisation data underscore the impact that violence has on the Brazilian population. A national injury surveillance system in hospital emergency departments (EDs) was implemented by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2006.

Objective

To describe the characteristics of violence-related injury visits at EDs in Brazil and compares circumstances for assault-related and self-inflicted cases.

Methods

This cross-sectional study describes 4835 cases seen during September 2006 in 62 EDs, representing all 26 states and the Federal District. To assess potential associations between the type of violence and multiple factors a logistic regression was used.

Results

Males were 72.8% overall and persons aged 20–29 were 35.4%. Alcohol use was reported or suspected in 42.7% overall, mainly among males. Assault victims comprised 91.4% of the cases and self-inflicted injuries were 8.6%. Three-fourths of the assault victims were male; over half of the self-inflicted injury victims were female. The leading mechanism for assaults was physical force/blunt objects (46.2%); poisoning was predominant among self-inflicted injuries (71.4%). Younger females were significantly more likely to be victims of self-inflicted injuries than younger males; younger males were more likely to be victims of assault, especially in cases where alcohol use was reported. Self-inflicted injuries were significantly more likely to occur in residences; assaults were more likely to occur away from home.

Conclusions

These results improve our understanding of the characteristics of violence-related injuries in Brazil.
New manual for economic evaluation studies of injury prevention interventions
Authors: Polinder S , Toet H , Sethi D , Racioppi F , Van Beeck E F
Published: March 2011

The burden of injury in terms of deaths and disability is considerable. Injuries result in large direct expenditures for healthcare and are a major burden for other sectors. Economic evaluation studies give insight into the (potential) changes in costs and population health as a result of preventive interventions for making the most optimal choices in preventive policies. Our review ‘Economic evaluation studies of injury prevention measures’ showed that in most countries systematic research into the economic impact of injuries is almost totally lacking. Furthermore, there are large differences with respect to the way studies measure and value economic and health consequences of injuries. Therefore, the WHO recognised the need for a systematic yet simple set of guidelines that would enable public health experts, policy makers and researchers to estimate the economic burden of injuries. With this manual we will provide a step-wise guidance according to a standardised methodology, in order to contribute an increased evidence base of cost-effectiveness interventions for injury prevention. The main steps of the guidance are as follows: (1) defining study design, (2) estimating costs, (3) estimating health effects, (4) calculating incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, (5) adjustments for timing and uncertainty and (6) reporting results. The added value of this guide is that it zooms in on the specifics of economic evaluation studies of injury prevention measures. It is hoped that this guidance will support a growing number of scientific analyses of the economic impacts of injuries, and ultimately result in additional prevention programs and lives saved.
Children with disabilities: victimization, sexuality and communication
Authors: Davis M , Modell S J
Published: March 2011

Studies have long established that children with disabilities are disproportionately criminally victimised. According to research children with intellectual disabilities are almost four times as likely to be neglected or emotionally abused and five times as likely to be physically or sexually abused. Perhaps most astonishingly, 97–99% of abusers of victims with developmental disabilities are known and trusted by the victim. Many significant barriers exist, both real and perceived, that limit investigation and prosecution of these cases. Specific techniques must be developed to effectively interview child victims with disabilities. This presentation is designed for victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, disability advocates and other criminal justice, medical and social service personnel who work with children with disabilities. Participants will develop an awareness of victimisation of children with disabilities and how assumptions and attitudes toward disability can affect the outcome of services by law enforcement and victim advocates. Additionally, the participants will be presented with information and materials on addressing access and accessibility for children with disabilities as well as develop skills for communicating effectively with individuals with autism, intellectual and other communication disabilities. Course objectives include:

Participants will develop an understanding of the unique characteristics of children with disabilities that make them susceptible to abuse.

Participants will develop specific communication skills to effectively interview children with autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and speech/language limitations.

Participants will increase their knowledge regarding the identification of physical and programmatic barriers to provide more effective services to people with disabilities.
Safety climate and firefighter injury: model development
Authors: DeJoy D M , Kunadharaju K , Smith T D
Published: March 2011

Without question, firefighting is a dangerous occupation. Each year in the U.S., over 100 firefighters die in the line of duty and over 80 000 are injured. These numbers have not improved during the past 25 years and, in fact, have been trending upward for the past decade. Firefighter professional associations and advocacy groups have increasingly called for changes to the safety culture/climate of firefighting, but to date there has been little empirical research. Of central concern is the view that firefighters often take unwarranted risks and routinely accept very thin margins of safety. This presentation outlines a conceptual model of safety climate specific to firefighting. The proposed model is derived from general industry research on organisational and safety climate, with specific reference to high hazard industries and high reliability organisations. The model also takes into consideration how firefighting is organised in terms of command system and operational tactics, as well as how firefighters are trained, socialised and assimilated at the organisational and unit levels. The model itself proposes a hierarchical structure for safety climate that includes dimensions representing task, work role, group and organisational influences. The model hypothesizes that safety climate mediates the relationship between the dimensions of climate and safety-related behaviour. The model is logically structured in terms of a climate behaviour outcome (eg, injury) sequence. The model is presented and discussed in terms of safety climate as an important predictor and leading indicator of safety performance in firefighting.
A methodological template for the design and evaluation of evidence-based injury prevention fact sheets
Authors: Corbett M , Morrongiello B , Ward L
Published: March 2011

In Canada, public health agencies often employ fact sheets or brochures as means of communicating injury prevention messaging to target groups; these are used because they are cost-effective and can reach large segments of the population. Unfortunately, the design of these instruments rarely reflects an evidence-based process, lacks theoretical grounding, and communication effectiveness is rarely assessed. In collaboration with Safe Kids Canada, we devised a methodological template for the development and evaluation of fact sheets targeting parental safety behaviours. This project involved the development of fact sheets targeting parents of infants at two ages (0–6, 6–12 months). The process employed a rigorous program evaluation framework, including a logic model, grounded in social cognitive theories and existing evidence that resulted in a focus on injury-prevention attitudes, self efficacy, and beliefs about vulnerability and severity of infant injury. Focus group testing with parents allowed us to compare the impact of alternative wording and images on cognitions, emotional reactions and parents injury-prevention beliefs and attitudes. Evidence drawn from these focus groups guided the final development of the fact sheets. A report was produced detailing evidence and recommendations as well as the process of developing and evaluating fact sheets, providing a template for future instrument development.
Understanding how we can engage and maintain older adults in exercise classes: the role of the exercise instructor
Authors: Hawley H , Skelton D , Todd C
Published: March 2011

Specific targeted exercise is an important part of the falls care pathway. It is a key factor in primary fall prevention; it enables older people to regain mobility following a fall and can prevent further falls. However, engaging older adults in physical activity is difficult. Those who have been through falls rehabilitation do not maintain their exercises and revert to prerehabilitation state (Hawley, 2009). This is the first part of a larger study looking at older adults uptake and adherence to exercise classes and develops the work of Yardleyet al(2006a, 2006b, 2007) who showed that older adults are more likely to engage in exercise if they have higher coping appraisal (enjoyment of the session, improvement in well-being. This study will explore how instructors attitudes relate to their participants attitudes and whether there is any impact on their coping appraisal. The first phase aims to establish a broad picture of exercise sessions delivered to older adults across UK. It examines characteristics and attitudes of instructors. Using the mailing lists of three training providers we surveyed some 2000 instructors across the UK who are qualified to deliver exercise to older adults, who are delivering in a variety of settings, establishing a broad picture of instructors and their classes. We asked questions about the sort of exercise provided and characteristics of the classes. We investigated attitudes using a modified AFRIS. We have 731 responses and these are currently being analysed. Findings will be discussed and an outline of phase 2 of the study provided.
10 year review of low speed vehicle run-overs in 0–15 year olds across Queensland
Authors: Kimble R , Wallis B , Nixon J , Watt K , Cass D , Gillen T , Griffin B
Published: March 2011

Transportation injury is the leading external cause of child deaths in Australia, and pedestrian deaths comprised approximately 25% of these over the last 4 years. There is evidence that the rate of low speed vehicle run-overs (LSVROs) in Queensland is significantly higher than the rest of Australia. Despite this, limited data are available on fatal and non-fatal LSVROs. There is no specific coding mechanism available to describe these events, resulting in inadequate description of the magnitude of the problem, the risk factors associated with LSVROs, and the associated morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological surveillance of both fatal and non-fatal LSVROs is essential to understand and describe the burden of injury. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of fatal and non-fatal LSVRO events among 0–15 year olds in Queensland from 1999 to 2008, to determine risk factors that can inform injury prevention strategies. A major outcome of this study is to develop a reliable system of surveillance to readily identify these events, and allow routine monitoring. Retrospective (1999–2008) data were obtained on all fatal and non-fatal LSVROs among 0–15 year olds in Queensland. Data were obtained and linked from multiple sources (prehospital, Emergency Department, Admitted Patients, Coroners), and supplemented by injury surveillance, to allow investigation of incidence, trends, risk factors, mechanisms and vehicle types. Preliminary analyses indicate that there were 19 deaths (13 boys and 5 girls, 1 unknown) from LSVROs between 2004 and 2009 in Queensland. Approximately half of these deaths occurred in children aged 0–2 years (n=10; 53%). The majority of incidents occurred on private property. A four wheel drive vehicle was involved in almost half of these fatalities (n=11; 58%), and large family sedans accounted for four out of 19 fatalities. Data on nonfatal LSVROs are currently being collated. Additional analyses will be performed to determine whether the patterns are similar to those observed among fatal incidents. Comprehensive secular data on LSVROs are currently not available. This study is designed to obtain these data, and establish a prospective surveillance of LSVROs, ultimately reducing associated burden of injury.
Sleeping disorders and work-related injuries among farmers
Authors: Wang L , Yunfeng H , Xiang H , Bai L , Stallones L
Published: March 2011

Background

Sleeping disorder has been found to be associated with occupational injuries among railway workers in the France and students in China, but this association has not well been studied in farmers. This population-based study investigated the relationship between sleeping disorders and agricultural work-related injury among farmers in a north eastern province of the Peoples Republic of China.

Methods

A multistage sample of 2264 farmers was selected from villages in Heilongjiang province. In May 2008, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Complete questionnaires were available for 2198 (97.1%) of the sample. Less than 7% (148) of the sample was excluded after the survey because their primary occupation was not farming. Farmers were questioned about work-related injury in the past year, sleeping disorder, farming practices, alcohol use and sociodemographic factors.

Results

The past year agricultural work-related injury rate was 12.2% (251/2050). Higher proportions of injuries were seen for males, 30–49 years old, those who worked on farms for 10 years or more, those who used motor vehicles, and those who used agricultural machinery and those who used alcohol. Logistic regression models showed that past year sleeping disorder to be associated with work-related injury. Sleeping disorder and other sleeping behaviour in the past year were examined in separate logistic models because of collinearity. In each model, the reference group was those farmers who never / rarely had difficulty of sleeping in the past year. Odd ratios of work-related injury among farmers who slept 7–8 h daily or less 7 h were respectively 1.136 (95% CI= 0.833 to 1.548), 1.585 (95% CI 1.042 to 2.414). Odd ratios of injury among farmers who sometimes had difficulty of sleeping at night or often had difficulty of sleeping at night were respectively 1.641 (95% CI 1.171 to 2.298), 2.110 (95% CI 1.364 to 3.265). Odd ratios of injury also significantly increased with level of difficulty of sleeping after waking up at night, having nightmares at night, being sleepy during the day, sleep after mid-night. Each sleeping disorder variable was significantly associated with injury while controlling for gender, age, years of farm work, driving a motor vehicle, agricultural machinery use and alcohol use.

Conclusions

Sleeping disorders were significantly associated with an increased injury risk of work-related injury among Chinese farmers.
The global burden of disease project 2005 methods utilised by the injury expert group for estimating world-wide incidence and prevalence rates
Authors: Bryan-Hancock C , Harrison J
Published: March 2011

The Injury Expert Group within the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2005 project aimed to estimate incidence and prevalence rates, and duration of impact for 30 specified injuries and 12 external causes of injury. The aim of both the GBD and the Injury Expert Group is to develop estimates for each of the 21 global regions that are as valid as possible, despite differences in data collection and quality, and in the availability of and access to hospital treatment. The group sought and analysed data (deaths, hospital admissions, population surveys) and reviewed literature. The literature review method is presented here. Searches were conducted using Medline, Embase and PsychInfo. The results of these searches were screened for relevancy and placed into groups described as either relevant, maybe relevant, not sure or not relevant. All groups, except those deemed not relevant were screened a second time and the bibliographies of the relevant studies after the second screening were searched to identify any studies that may have been missed. Methodological quality was assessed using an adaption of Toothet al(2005). Studies were included if they presented rates for an entire country, an adequate region of a country, or the data was the only data available for that country or GBD region. Studies were excluded if the data did not adequately represent a country or region. While included studies were predominantly of sound methodological quality, reliability issues surrounded; country-wide rate estimations from hospitals data, ambiguity of demographic groups and injury classification differences.
Use of matched cohort studies to estimate the effectiveness of child restraints
Authors: Rice T M , Anderson C
Published: March 2011

Background

Many researchers believe that only child occupants should be used in matched cohort studies of child restraint effectiveness. The objective of this study was to explore the performance of the matched cohort study design in estimating associations between child restraints and other occupant characteristics with death risk.

Methods

We conducted Monte Carlo data simulations to represent 10 000 collision-involved vehicles carrying a mix of children and adults. We set the effects of age, seating position, adult seat belt use, child seat belt use and child safety to known values. We created an association between child restraint use and collision severity to confound the restraint-death risk association. Death risk ratios were estimated with conditional Poisson regression.

Results

Estimated risk ratios were unbiased and precise for all variables in the models, including those relevant only to children. The average child safety seat risk ratio was 0.30 (true value 0.3) and the average child seat belt risk ratio was 0.50 (true value 0.5). The lower baseline death risk for children as also correctly estimated (0.75, true value 0.75).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that matched cohort studies, together with conditional regression, can be used to estimate associations between occupant characteristics, including child restraint use and the death risk. Results were unconfounded by crash severity and were not reliant on an assumption of equal baseline risk of occupants of each vehicle. The use of child-only matched sets of data resulted in a notable loss of information and less precise estimates of effect.
Trauma centre-based surveillance of non-traffic pedestrian collision injury among young children in California
Authors: Rice T M , Trent R B , Bernacki K , Rice J K
Published: March 2011

Objective

Every year in the US, thousands of young children are injured by passenger vehicles in driveways or parking areas. Little is known about risk factors, and incidence rates are difficult to estimate because ascertainment using police collision reports or media sources is incomplete. This study used surveillance at trauma centres to identify incidents and parent interviews to obtain detailed information on incidents, vehicles and children.

Methods

Eight California trauma centres conducted surveillance of non-traffic pedestrian collision injury to children aged 14 years or younger from January 2005 to July 2007. Three of these centres conducted follow up interviews with family members.

Results

Ninety-four injured children were identified. Nine children (10%) suffered fatal injury. Seventy children (74%) were 4 years old or younger. Family members of 21 victims from this study (23%) completed an interview. Of these 21 interviewed victims, 17 (81%) were male and 13 (62%) were 1 or 2 years old. In 13 cases (62%), the child was backed over, and the driver was the mother or father in 11 cases (52%). Fifteen cases (71%) involved a sport utility vehicle, pick-up truck or van. Most collisions occurred in a residential driveway.

Conclusions

Trauma centre surveillance can be used for case ascertainment and for collecting information on circumstances of non-traffic pedestrian injuries. Adoption of a specific external cause of injury code would allow passive surveillance of these injuries. Case–control studies are needed to understand the contributions of family, vehicular and environmental characteristics and injury risk to inform prevention efforts.
Self-harm and risk of motor vehicle crashes in youth: the DRIVE prospective cohort study
Authors: Martiniuk A L C , Ivers R Q , Glozier N , Patton G C , Lam L T , Boufous S , Senserrick T , Williamson A , Stevenson M , Norton R
Published: March 2011

Background

Some crashes, particularly single vehicle crashes, may result from intentional self-harm behaviour but research on this topic is limited. Self-harm is the deliberate injuring of oneself and includes actions such as cutting, attempted hanging and poisoning. This study aimed to assess the risk that intentional self-harm poses for prospective motor vehicle crashes among novice drivers.

Methods

Questionnaire responses from 20 822 newly licensed drivers aged 17 to 24 were prospectively linked to licensing and police-reported crash data. The mean follow-up was 2 years. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to investigate the role of recent self-harm on the risk of crash, taking into account potential confounders including driving exposure, duration of sleep, remoteness of residence, socio-economic status, psychological symptoms and substance abuse.

Results

A total of 871 drivers reported engaging in self-harm in the year before the survey. Self-harm was more common among youth who were women, Australian-born, living in rural areas, driving more per week, sleeping less and using drugs and alcohol. Young people who reported engaging in self-harm behaviour were at significantly increased risk of crash (RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.76 unadjusted; RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.72 adjusted).

Interpretation

This first and largest ever study of the relationship between self-harm and crash in young drivers found self-harm to be a predictor of subsequent motor vehicle crash, with most crashes involving multiple vehicles.
Developing global and regional estimates of fatal injury related to work
Authors: Driscoll T , Bryan-Hancock C
Published: March 2011

Aims

To develop revised global and regional estimates of the burden of fatal injury resulting from work-related exposures as part of the new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) initiative. This work involves calculating and comparing burden estimates for 2005 and 1990.

Methods

The approach builds on previous GBD injury work and makes use of more recently published data and information from as many appropriate sources as possible. Published data on fatal injury rates in representative countries and regions were identified and reviewed for methodological rigour and relevance. Rates were extrapolated from the most relevant nearby region if necessary. Industry-specific estimates were identified where possible, to take into account differences in risk arising from different industry distributions between regions and over time. Employment information was obtained from standard published sources.

Results

Representative rates were found for at least one country in nearly all regions. The main difficulties encountered were deciding which study(s) best represented the regions and times of interest, and identifying and adjusting for different inclusion criteria.

Conclusions

Calculating useful global and regional estimates of work-related injury burden raises many challenges but can be achieved by careful assessment of study methodology and extensive searching of potentially relevant data sources.
Where do fatal injuries go?
Authors: Holder Y , McCaw-Binns A
Published: March 2011

Aim

To determine the quality of external cause of death data.

Methodology

Data on all injury deaths were captured from multiple sources police station diaries, autopsy reports, coroners inquests, hospital records in addition to death certificates from the Registrars Office in Jamaica. Records were sorted and merged on close matches of name, date of birth, sex and address. For each death, data were updated into one complete record and underlying cause re-coded when necessary.

Results

38% of all injury deaths were not registered 13% of the remainder were misclassified as SSIs. Capture rate of homicides increased from 42% to 85%. Homicides had been mis-classified as Accidents caused by firearms and Legal interventions. Homicide rose in rank from 7th leading cause of death to 5th. Proportional injury mortality due to homicides increased from 18.3% to 31.5%. Capture rate of fatal road traffic injuries (RTIs) increased from 28% to 83% RTIs rose in rank from 21st leading cause of death to 19th Proportional injury mortalities for RTIs increased from 7.1% to 11.5% Capture rate of fatal self-inflicted injuries increased from 19% to 97%. Self-inflicted deaths were usually misclassified as Accidental threats to breathing and Accidental poisoning.

Conclusion

That estimates based on published injury mortalities would be grossly underestimated, but every effort should be taken to ensure the completeness of data, especially the training of certifying physicians in the correct medical certification of cause of death.
EUPHA section on injury prevention and safety promotion
Authors: Sengoelge M , Laflamme L , Lund J
Published: March 2011

The European Public Health Association or EUPHA in short, is an umbrella organisation for public health associations in Europe. EUPHA is an international, multidisciplinary, scientific organisation, bringing together around 12 000 public health experts for professional exchange and collaboration throughout Europe. It encourages a multidisciplinary approach to public health. There are now 16 EUPHA sections and the Section on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion was established in 2006 and currently has 330 members, with over 40 countries represented. The aims of the section are to: (a) increase awareness on the topic in the broader public health community, (b) increase the visibility of the link between injury and public health, (c) strengthen the links between researchers, policy makers and practitioners; (d) support the dissemination of research results and their implementation into practice. Since our start in 2006 our section membership is continually rising; we have participated in the annual EUPHA Conferences with workshops and pre-conferences in collaboration with other sections; we disseminate a quarterly Section Newsletter to inform members of activities and issues of interest; and we participate in consultative meetings. For example, we have developed a policy statement on alcohol and injuries together with 12 other European NGO's on how to prevent one of the major risk factors on injuries. The statement target group is European and national authorities. We hope you will join and be active in our Section, please contact us!

President Johan Lund, E:johan.lund@medisin.uio.no

Vice presidents Lucie Laflamme, E:Lucie.laflamme@ki.se

Mathilde Senglge, E:msengoelge@hotmail.com
Safety of household appliances for all
Authors: Russell S
Published: March 2011

Consumers expect electrical household appliances to be safe, for themselves, their children and the older members of their families. Yet present international electrical product safety standards (IEC 60335) state that they do not. In general, take into account persons (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental capabilities; or lack of experience and knowledge prevents them from using the appliance safely without supervision or instruction. ANEC has evidence that children and older consumers do independently use appliances such as hair-dryers and toasters. Considering the growing ageing European population and that older people get injured especially in the home setting such as bathrooms and kitchens, ANEC believes that standards can be successfully used to help make products and services safe for as many consumers as possible, irrespective of their age or abilities. People living alone are more likely to continue using these products than those living with other people, where help is likely to be more readily available. However, the majority of seniors wish to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible but many appliances are not designed to meet their changing needs as they age. Since 2005, ANEC has been successfully making proposals to change a range of appliance standards to make them safer for all. In November 2009, the first set of revised standards was approved and should be implemented by manufactures in the coming months. ANECs presentation will explain what is missing in these safety standards, our methodology to revise them and proposes an international roadmap to deliver electrical product safety for all consumers.
The comparison of the frequency and nature of sharps injuries reported by doctors versus nurses from surgical wards in the context of the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV: a cross-sectional sero-survey
Authors: Ganczak M , Korzen M , Ostrowski M , Starczewski A , Bohatyrewicz A , Szych Z
Published: March 2011

Objective

To evaluate the nature and frequency of sharps injuries among doctors and nurses from the same surgical/gynaecological wards and the prevalence of HIV/HBV/HCV infection, an anonymous cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted in 16 randomly selected hospitals in West Pomerania, Poland, between 01 June, 2009.

Results

Response rate: 70.2%, 89 doctors and 414 nurses consented to participate. During the preceding year 50.7% of respondents sustained at least one sharps injury, median number per doctor was 3, per nurse 0. More doctors than nurses were injured (82% vs 44%; p<0.001), 12.3% doctors versus 2.2% nurses (p<0.003) sustained more than 10 injuries. 69.2% of nurses sustained a hollow-bore needle injury versus 8.9% doctors; p<0.001. Rates of recapping: 41.8% doctors versus 43.9% nurses; p>0.84. Underreporting rates: 85% doctors versus 83.5% nurses, p>0.92. In addition, 77.5% of doctors and 84.5% of nurses (p>0.16) never used safe equipment. Infection control training: 68.5% doctors versus 82.1% nurses; p<0.007. Anti-HBc were found in 16.4% (10/89) of doctors and 11.2% (68/414) of nurses, p>0.28; anti-HCV – in 1.1% (1/89) of doctors versus 1.4% (6/414) of nurses, p>0.79; no anti-HIV positive cases were found.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of HBV/HCV infection between doctors and nurses does not differ significantly, some modifiable risk factors for contracting a BBI such as frequency and nature of sharps injuries may differ, which call for tailoring preventive measures to specific job categories. Inadequate training in infection control, recapping, underreporting and lack of safe equipment were additional risk factors for both categories.
Falls and their effects on people with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Stanmore E , Todd C , Oldham J , O'Neill T , Skelton D
Published: March 2011

Falls in adults and older people are a major public health concern in terms of mortality, morbidity and costs to health and social services. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to an increased risk of falls resulting in osteoporotic fractures, due to lower limb joint involvement resulting in impaired mobility, balance and postural stability (Armstrong et al., 2005; Huusko et al., 2001). However, there has been little research in this area to date. The findings from a prospective cohort study of 559 adults with RA, using a longitudinal design will be presented. Patients were recruited from outpatient departments in four hospitals in the Northwest of England. Patients were followed up for 1 year after the initial measurements, using self-reported falls calendars, fall event forms and follow up telephone calls. The baseline assessments included measures of medication, eyesight, other diseases, painful feet, previous fractures, surgery or joint replacement(s), swollen/joint assessment to measure current RA disease activity and previous use of steroids, strength and balance. They also completed a questionnaire that included information on their functional ability, history of falling, fear of falling, pain, fatigue and falls risk. The findings from this study will assist in understanding the extent of the problems of falls in people with RA and also the particular risk factors. Efforts can then be focused on minimising the risk factors through proven interventions and reducing falls and fall related injuries.
Evaluation of a 10 years violence prevention programme in Switzerland
Authors: Hofner M C , Burquier R , Dtraz J , Romain N , Drer S , Pittet M C , Mangin P
Published: March 2011

Early 2000, a violence prevention programme took place in Lausanne. The programme proposed 44 measures addressing: monitoring, networking, education of police, health and social professionals, changes in law, primary prevention, early detection, improvement of care to victims, etc. 10 years later a research assessed the degree of achievement of each measure and its process; needs and priorities of grassroots level professionals and state of the network.

A literature review, a study of genuine documents, 20 interviews of stakeholders and an electronic questionnaire to 95 professionals has been completed from 2009 to early 2010.

For a total of 44 measures, 48% were completely put into practice; 27% partially and 16% not at all. For 9% information was not available. 89% of measures were still relevant and 11% were no more. The electronic enquiry (59% response rate), revealed that children exposed to partner violence and awareness raising of the youth were the two priority fields of action, whereas the principal needs evoked were network improvement/information and improvement of means of support. No changes were observed in network collaboration patterns.

Globally the programme was successful and the measures proposed in 2000 relevant. Early interdisciplinary working groups, institutional commitment, WHO 2002 report, personal involvement of opinion leaders were identified as supporting factors. While resistant factors were lack of institutional support and financial resources, uncertainty about medical responsibility, poor academic interest. However, the most important success factor was the early integration of professionals of the field in the direction of the programme.
Prevalence of bicycle helmet use among elementary school students in four Canadian cities
Authors: Middaugh-Bonney T , Pike I , Brussoni M , Piedt S , Macpherson A
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Bicycle-related injuries are an important cause of hospitalisation among Canadian children. There is variation in the nature and enforcement of bicycle helmet laws in Canada. The Canadian Injury Indicators Development Team was established to define and evaluate key indicators, including helmet use and bicycle helmet laws.

Purpose

To assess the prevalence of helmet use in elementary school aged children in four Canadian cities representing varied geographic and socioeconomic settings.

Methods

Observations were made at schools in Halifax, Toronto, Barrie and Vancouver. Schools were identified using school board websites and DMTI, a company that partners with universities to disseminate spatial data. Schools were classified into quintiles based on the after-tax income of their census tract (2006 census). Trained observers attended each site at the beginning of the school day in May/June 2009. Information on the sex, helmet use, correct helmet use and group riding were documented.

Results

397 observations were made at 91 schools. The helmet use rate was 83% across the four cities. 68% of those riding bicycles were males and 47% of children rode in a group. Group influence on helmet use varied by province. The influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on helmet use also varied. Vancouver's poorest neighbourhoods had the most riders (42%), whereas Toronto had the most of riders in the richest neighbourhoods (39%).

Conclusion

There is variation in helmet use across Canadian cities generally, and by SES specifically. Helmet use rates were higher in the medium sized city (Barrie) compared to the other, larger cities.
Trends of traumatic spinal cord injury incidence in Spain, 2000–2008
Authors: Pérez K , Novoa A
Published: March 2011

Aim

To describe incidence trends of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in Spain.

Methods

It is a time series study of patients admitted to hospital in Spain from 2000 to 2008 due to a SCI (ICD9-CM: 806 and 952 in primary diagnosis). The information source was the National Hospital Discharge Register. Mechanisms of injury were classified as road traffic collisions (RT) or other mechanisms (NRT). Annual incidence rates per 1 000 000 inhabitants were calculated, and their trend change over the years was assessed using Poisson regression. Relative risks of the slope were derived, which allowed to estimate the annual average increase or decrease in the rate of SCI.

Results

From 2000 to 2008, 9352 persons were hospitalised due to SCI, 34.8% of which due to a RT. Annual age-adjusted incidence rates for RT were of 13.6 for men and of 4.0 for women. For NRT, they were of 22.2 and 8.3, respectively. The highest injury rates were observed among the group of 18–24 years for RT, while among people over 65 years for NRT. Incidence trend for RT showed an annual decrease of −2.4% for men (p=0.002) and of −7.6% for women (p<0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed for NRT.

Conclusions

There is a high incidence of SCI in Spain. Road traffic SCI incidence shows a decreasing trend while there are no changes in the incidence caused by other mechanisms.
Reports of interpersonal violence on residents of Recife identified in the public health services
Authors: e Silva M C Maia , De Brito A M , Tavares R , de Arajo J L Corra , De Lima Araujo A
Published: March 2011

Objective

To identify and analyse the reports of interpersonal violence on residents of Recife identified in the public health services, from August 2006 to March 2008.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study. Used the surveillance system of domestic violence and sexual violence and other violences – VIVA. The variables analysed were gender, age, race, violence typology, place of occurrence and victim/aggressor relationship and presented in graphs and tables.

Results

Reported 822 cases in 23 health services in Recife. Physical violence appeared in 253 notifications, 234 psychological, neglect/abandonment in 229 to 165 sexual, noting that one type of violence does not preclude the other, a case can be notified with more than one type of violence. Of the cases 90% were violence against children and adolescents – C/A. The female preponderance of 58, 3 cases with male and 40.8%. The race/colour brown prevailed with 34.2% followed by white and black with 13%. It is observed that 38.0% of the notifications do not have this information. Mothers appear as the main aggressor in violence against C/A, followed by friends, acquaintances, stepfathers, unknown and spouse. Children under 10 years were mostly victims of neglect/abandonment, aged 10–17 years of violence prevalent psychological. The health district VI had the highest number of cases.

Conclusions

The study revealed underreporting cases, only 19 reporting units, most violence against C/A, these data can support public policies for prevention and victim support.