bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in medical certification of injured workers by general practitioners in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Ruseckaite R , Collie A 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThere is a growing recognition of the health benefits of work. General Practitioners (GPs) are encouraged to ensure injured workers return to the workplace, on the premise that return to work (RTW) aids recovery.Aims/Objectives/PurposeTo determine if GPs medical certification behaviour has changed over the 14 year period to 2010 in Victoria, Australia.MethodsWe analysed a WorkSafe Victoria compensation research dataset of 317 744 working age individuals with ‘lost-time’ claims over the period of 1997–2010. Only the initial post-injury GPs certificates were included. Poisson count log-regression analysis was conducted to describe overall annual changes in amount and duration of ‘unfit for work’ and ‘alternate duties’ certificates.Results/OutcomesA total of 204 614 ‘unfit for work’ and 97 207 of ‘alternate duties’ certificates were analysed. We found a statistically significant decrease in the number of ‘unfit for work’ certificates, equal to 1457 fewer such certificates per annum in 2010 than in 1997 (by 6.8%, 95% CI −7% to −6.7%). However, a number of ‘alternate duties’ certificates raised by 1322 in 2010 than in 1997 (by 5.9%, 95% CI 5.1% to 6.7%). The average annual duration of ‘unfit for work’ certificates decreased by 1.6±1.9 days, and by 2.9±1.2 days in ‘altered duties’ certificates.Significance/Contribution to the FieldThere have been significant changes in the medical certification of injured workers by GPs in the state of Victoria since 1997. The decrease in number of medical certificates and their duration suggests that GPs possibly play an important role in returning injured workers back to their workplace earlier.
A conceptual framework for assessing the usefulness of safety interventions: a tribute to William Haddon Jr
Authors: Salmi LR , Lagarde E 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundHaddon (1926–1985) introduced in the 60s his matrix and 10 countermeasures, and a public health approach to injury control. Integrating these tools in a more comprehensive framework should help decision making.Aims/Objectives/PurposeTo present and illustrate a framework designed to provide simple and logical steps to assess and summarise available information on safety interventions.MethodsWe listed questions that are relevant to decision makers, and defined related concepts and needed information. The framework also includes an algorithm to assess available information and conclude. We illustrate the tool by assessing policies on screening for unsafe driving due to medical conditions.Results/OutcomesTo implement an intervention, a decision should document: (1) the nature and size of the issue to be solved (burden and target); (2) the objective, structure and processes of the intervention (intervention); (3) the risk/effectiveness ratio (impact); (4) the practical and financial requirements to make the intervention work (efficiency); (5) the ability to guarantee appropriate ressources to cover all current and future needs (equity); and (6) the possibility of better interventions. Policies on screening for unsafe driving fail to properly document burden, and the complexity, impact and efficiency of the intervention; equity and possible other options are never raised.Significance/Contribution to the FieldThis framework could be useful to develop and promote interventions based on evidence.
Evaluation of pilot injury surveillance system in Sri Lanka
Authors: Samarakkody DC , Dharmarathna SD , Ellawala RN 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe Pilot Injury Surveillance System (ISS) had been implemented in seven hospitals in 2005 in Sri Lanka.PurposeTo evaluate the performance of pilot ISS.MethodsAn evaluation team comprised of multi stake holders visited participating hospitals and conducted interviews with key informants. Evaluation criteria for the assessment were based on the WHO injury surveillance guidelines and interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis technique.ResultsCurrently the system collets data only from Accident Service, National Hospital and there is no continues analysis and interpretation of data or provision of feedback to the relevant stakeholders for efficient planning. Lack of direct involvement from the Ministry of Health was the major reason for the failure of the Pilot ISS. This had been leading to lack of follow up of the system, lack of continues evaluation and feedback. As data was not utilised the staff was unmotivated and not participating in the system. Issues related to the data collection form, software and the data collecting process were also identified.Contribution to the FieldThe Pilot ISS in Sri Lanka does not operate efficiently and not comply with WHO guidelines on injury surveillance system. We recommend Injury Prevention Division of the Ministry of Health to function as the central coordinator of the ISS and allocating funds for maintenance and expansion of this system through the annual budget for long term sustainability. Further we recommend revising existing surveillance guides and tools and utilising surveillance data for effective planning of injury prevention programme.
STISS—the Styrian injury surveillance system- a hospital database on injuries to support safe community work
Authors: Peter Spitzer , Gudula Brandmayr , Kleine Grosse Schützen 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundA vital condition for the recommendation of rules for efficient accident prevention is an exact analysis of the circumstances in order to be able to identify the parameters involved. Only then it is possible to draw efficient conclusions for accident prevention in a Safe Community.Aims/Objectives/PurposeA hospital injury data base is fundamental to lay grass roots in local and community based injury prevention work. Therefor is necessary to identify workable processes collecting detailed data and to develop a data set which is match able to the hospital documentation system.MethodsTo show the injury rate, the place and circumstances of the accidents an additional multilevel data set was developed and integrated in the medical documentation system of the hospital. To introduce such injury surveillance system it is fundamental to convince the doctors in the hospital and the parents that such few minutes spent on collecting accident data could be very helpful for their neighbours in the same living area to avoid accidents.Results/OutcomeWith our hospital based injury surveillance system we are able to identify local problem areas and this just in time. So specific preventive measures can be taken and intervention programmes developed.An enlargement of this data surveillance system beyond the juvenile age will cover problems of all age groups and lead to a significant reduction of injured people caused by accidents in a specific region.Significance/Contribution to the FieldThe analysis of accidents in a local hospital is very important to identify dangerous sites and risky areas at a community level. Together with an efficient network of experts the data can be analysed and countermeasures can be taken in action immediately. It is a service of a health promoting hospital with local effect immediately and noticeable.
Assessment survey on knowledge of traffic law—Jujuy—Argentina—year 2011
Authors: Chalabe AM , Zumbay BE , Leinecker LE 
Published: October 2012

IntroductionInjuries are a problem of transport municipal health. Since the creation of Sentinel Injury Unit working in schools and community training, evaluating population-based survey results with knowledge of the Traffic Act.ObjectivesTo validate the survey on Traffic Law. CIasificar groups of people and points that require treatment.MethodsA multiple correspondence analysis on surveys conducted by using the Softawre SPADN 4.0. Variables: gender, age, condition, knowledge of minimum age, safety features, requirements, prohibitions and limits established by the National Traffic Law.ResultsOf a total of 795 surveys conducted in August 2011, there was a cluster analysis with hierarchical classification, and according to the dendrogram were chosen in April the following classes: CLASS 1: 27.04%, pedestrians, sex women (72%), with ignorance of the overtaking vehicle rules, circulation, obligations in case of accidents, road safety, bans, among others. CLASS 2:10.57% cyclists, with cat's eye as a safety, they know minimum age requirements and limits for the road and ignore rules (60, 71%), CLASS 3: 18.36%, vehicle motorcycle age 12–21 years, with 89.8% use case, 34% do not know minimum age, CLASS 4: 44.03% male, 32–52 years in motor vehicle, drivers who know rules and prohibitions for driving (53.2%).Importance/Contribution in the FieldThis type of analysis allows us to classify the groups to specifically target, allowing suggest specific actions in prevention. This analysis allows to suggest hypotheses to explain and propose policy interventions.
What do we understand by undetermined intention deaths? Injuries patterns' intentionality identification
Authors: Clotilde Ubeda , Mariana Galante , Andrea Perinetti , Raquel Peltzer 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThere are around 19 000 fatal injuries annually in Argentina. Since 1983, deaths due to self inflicted (SI) injuries were more frequent than Interpersonal (IP) fatal injuries. However around 12–14% of injuries were classified under Undetermined intention (UD).ObjectiveTo identify characteristics of undetermined causes of deaths and to describe the relationship between the mechanism of injury by age and sex associated with intentionality of the event.MethodsData on mortality health statistics from 1996 to 2010 were used (N=125 832). Included Mechanism were: Falls, Drowning, Other threats to breathing (OTB), Fire, Firearm, Sharp object (SO), Machinery, Gases, Pesticides, Other poisons (OP). A factorial analysis of multiple correspondences and cluster analysis with one mixed classification and centroid was made. Active variables: age, sex, mechanism, occurrence place. Illustrative variables: intentionality.ResultsThe five first axes were conserved (36.75% of the inertia). A global typology was obtained in five classes which non exclusive characteristic modalities were:Class1 (N=41 870): Firearm, SO, OP; 10–50-years-old; Street, Unspecified place; IP or UD. Class2 (N=7781): Falls, Gases; Female; older than 60 years; Home; Unintentional (U). Class3 (N=43 596): OTB, Gases; Male; older than 40 years; Home; (SI). Class4 (N=17 262): Fire, OP; younger than 10 or older than 60-years-old; Unspecified place; (U). Class5 (N=9966): Drowning; Male; younger than 20 years; Other specified place; (U). 57% of UD was in class1, and 20% in class3 (p<0.0001)ConclusionsThe redistribution of undetermined causes of death according the injury mechanism, age and sex could be useful to obtain more accurate information of specified intentional deaths.
Intervention to improve the quantity and quality of medical data on intentional injuries provided to the Liberian armed violence observatory
Authors: Collinson L , Winnington A , Valenti M 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe Liberian Armed Violence Observatory (LAVO) was formed as an independent body that gathers, analyses and reports on armed violence data in Liberia. The Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is a key data provider to the LAVO, supplying Emergency Department (ED) data from several hospitals in Monrovia. Research indicates a large number of Liberians are being injured by violence, but only a small number are recorded in the hospital records.PurposeTo improve the quantity and quality of data from hospitals on intentional injuries reported to LAVO.MethodsInternational Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) designed and implemented in three Liberian hospitals a data collection tool to capture intentional injuries seen in the EDs. The tool is simple to use—a small sticker that creates a space on the patient's file to record answers to questions routinely asked during the collection of the patient history. The tool does not delay patient treatment or negatively impact the functioning of the ED. The intent is that the data is transferred regularly to the ED attendance register, collated, and faxed monthly to LAVO.ResultsCurrently the data collection system is being trialled in three hospitals in Liberia but has not been fully implemented. IPPNW staff will aim to improve the quantity and quality of data collected in an on-site audit planned for August 2012.SignificanceLack of regular reporting by hospitals to LAVO on intentional injuries prevents the formulation of fully informed evidence-based violence prevention programmes and policies.
The lifetime history of traumatic Brain injury and associated outcomes: a state-wide population-based survey
Authors: Whiteneck G , Cuthbert J , Corrigan J , Bogner J 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe number of non-hospitalised cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) exceeds hospitalised cases, and the extent of disability following non-hospitalised TBI is unknown.Aims/Objectives/PurposeDocument the lifetime history of TBI in a general population survey and assess the relationship of lifetime TBI severity to outcomes.MethodsA total of 2701 Coloradoans participated in a random-digit-dialed computer assisted telephone interview. Using an adaptation of the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method, a lifetime history of injury was collected with details about the severity and place of treatment; brief standardised measures assessed current health status, disability, and related outcomes.Results/OutcomesRespondents were categorised into four injury groups: 24% reported no lifetime injuries, 37% reported injuries but none including TBI, 14% reported one or more TBIs but none with loss of consciousness, and 24% reported one or more TBIs with loss of consciousness. Among those reporting TBI, 24% reported their most severe TBI was treated in a hospital, 38% reported emergency department treatment, 12% were seen in a physician's office or clinic, and 25% stated they did not seek medical attention. After controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and place of treatment, the four injury groups were significant predictors of cognitive impairment, post concussive symptoms, health status, and life satisfaction.Significance/Contribution to the FieldSubstantial numbers of the general population (38%) report having one or more TBIs during their lifetime, but only 24% report being hospitalised. Prior estimates of disability after TBI based on hospitalised cases are likely underestimates.
Exploring links between state health department capacity for injury and violence prevention and health outcomes: a look at the Core VIPP evaluation plan
Authors: Jessica A Hill , Shenée Reid , Christopher Jones , Howard Kress , Porter Jamila , Andrea Gielen , Amber Williams 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundInjuries are the leading cause of death for individuals 1–44-years-old in the USA. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded 28 state health departments (SHDs) through the Core Injury and Violence Prevention Programme (Core VIPP). Core VIPP supports SHDs to build injury and violence prevention (IVP) capacity to disseminate, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed programmes and policies. Though SHDs received core funding previously, new to this funding cycle is an enhanced focus on evaluating capacity-building and exploring the relationship between capacity-building and improved health outcomes.Aims/Objectives/PurposeThis poster will discuss approaches to tracking capacity-building activities, measuring resulting increases in IVP capacity, and monitoring progress towards health outcomes.MethodsThe Core VIPP evaluation is formative and summative evaluation. Unique tools were developed to measure grantees' capacity-building progress, including a biennial survey that will measure changes in IVP capacity over time. Additional tools help grantees identify health outcome objectives and track their progress toward these goals.Results/OutcomeThe Core VIPP evaluation provides structure for data collection and analysis and reporting. Ultimately, the evaluation seeks to report on SHD IVP capacity, SHD progress towards health outcomes, and what the data suggest about the link between capacity-building and achieving health outcomes.Significance/Contribution to the FieldMany public health projects focus on building organisational capacity. The Core VIPP evaluation offers a model for linking activities to measurable increases in capacity over time, as well as approaches to exploring the link between increased capacity and improved health outcomes.
Use of Geographic information systems in the watch area injury versus programmatic Jujuy—Argentina
Authors: Chalabe AM , Zumbay BE , Leinecker LE , Chalabe SA 
Published: October 2012

IntroductionWith high rates of accidents was a need to link the accident with the space, geographical variables entering the hospital information system to identify risk factors by geographic area.ObjectivesTo distinguish geographic areas with higher risk of events. Develop an integrated information system for decision making.MethodsThe intervention was developed in four stages: training, database preparation, implementation of the GIS (Geographic Information System) to interrelate spatial analysis of risk factors and health effects. Was performed with gvSIG 1.11 (free software) with bases fragmentary provincial Land Registry. Were added: (a) Road Injuries identifying environmental risk factors and individual, (b) Intentional injuries person to person conducting periodic assessments in conjunction with local police, and identification of susceptible population, with ‘action scenarios’ and construction of ‘crime map’ municipality as interagency, ONGs, Security analysis being the essential input for the reorientation of preventive actions.ResultsThe implementation of a GIS allowed the integration of information from a spatial approach to enhancing risk analysis processes and decision making, reducing the morbidity of road traffic injuries and intentional injuries by strengthening prevention and health promotion.Importance/Contribution in the FieldThe recognition of risk factors, assumes the redirection of existing resources achieving specific social and health interventions that tend to reduce or eliminate these factors.
Adipokines in Plasma and Breast Tissues: Associations with Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Authors: Llanos Adana A. , Dumitrescu Ramona G. , Marian Catalin , Makambi Kepher H. , Spear Scott L. , Kallakury Bhaskar V.S. , Perry David J. , Convit Rafael J. , Platek Mary E. , Millen Amy E. , Adams-Campbell Lucile L. , Freudenheim Jo L. , Shields Peter G. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground: Blood adipokines are associated with breast cancer risk; however, blood–breast adipokine correlations and factors that explain variation in adipokines are unknown.Methods: Plasma (n = 155) and breast (n = 85) leptin and adiponectin were assessed by immunoassays in women with no history of cancer. Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to determine breast adipokine associations.Results: Through body mass index (BMI)-adjusted analyses, we initially observed positive plasma–breast correlations for leptin (r = 0.41, P = 0.0002) and adiponectin (r = 0.23, P = 0.05). The positive plasma–breast correlation for leptin was strongest among normal weight women (r = 0.62), whereas the correlation for adiponectin was strongest among obese women (r = 0.31). In multivariable models, adjusting for BMI, demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors, plasma leptin was not associated with breast leptin, and only the highest quartile of plasma adiponectin was associated with tissue levels. Of the risk factors investigated, those that contributed most to the variation in breast tissue adipokines were BMI and race for leptin, oral contraceptive use and smoking status for adiponectin.Conclusions: Although we report positive plasma–breast adipokine correlations overall, plasma adipokine concentrations may not be good surrogates for breast concentrations among all women. Predictors of breast adipokines vary, depending on subject characteristics, possibly explaining inconsistent epidemiologic results and they implicate differing pathways toward carcinogenesis.Impact: A clearer understanding of the relationships between plasma adipokines and their levels within the target organ is necessary to better understand the impact of these hormones on breast cancer risk. Future studies are needed to identify additional factors associated with breast adipokines in target tissues. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(10); 1745–55. ©2012 AACR.
A Cluster Randomized Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Patient Navigation in Improving Quality of Diagnostic Care for Patients with Breast or Colorectal Cancer Abnormalities
Authors: Wells Kristen J. , Lee Ji-Hyun , Calcano Ercilia R. , Meade Cathy D. , Rivera Marlene , Fulp William J. , Roetzheim Richard G. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Background: This study examines efficacy of a lay patient navigation (PN) program aimed to reduce time between a cancer abnormality and definitive diagnosis among racially/ethnically diverse and medically underserved populations of Tampa Bay, Florida.
Methods: Using a cluster randomized design, the study consisted of 11 clinics (six navigated; five control). Patients were navigated from time of a breast or colorectal abnormality to diagnostic resolution, and to completion of cancer treatment. Using a generalized mixed-effects model to assess intervention effects, we examined: (i) length of time between abnormality and definitive diagnosis, and (ii) receipt of definitive diagnosis within the 6-month minimum follow-up period.
Results: A total of 1,267 patients participated (588 navigated; 679 control). We also included data from an additional 309 chart abstractions (139 navigated arm; 170 control arm) that assessed outcomes at baseline. PN did not have a significant effect on time to diagnostic resolution in multivariable analysis that adjusted for race-ethnicity, language, insurance status, marital status, and cancer site (P = 0.16). Although more navigated patients achieved diagnostic resolution by 180 days, results were not statistically significant (74.5% navigated vs. 68.5% control, P = 0.07).
Conclusions: PN did not impact the overall time to completion of diagnostic care or the number of patients who reached diagnostic resolution of a cancer abnormality. Further evaluation of PN programs applied to other patient populations across the cancer continuum is necessary to gain a better perspective on its effectiveness.
Impact: PN programs may not impact timely resolution of an abnormality suspicious of breast or colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(10); 1664–72. ©2012 AACR.