bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequelae after unintentional injuries to children: an exploratory study
Authors: Tursz Anne , Crost Monique 
Published: October 2002

Goal—To determine the frequency and categories of sequelae related to accidental injuries (of all types) in childhood, a prospective follow up study was conducted on a geographically defined population near Paris, France.Methods—The study concerned all child residents of one health care district, aged under 15 years, and hospitalised in the two public hospitals of the district, and/or transported by mobile emergency units, after an accident, during a one year period (in 1981–82; n = 785). Initial severity was scored using the injury severity score (ISS). Sequelae were defined as established impairments (leading or not to disabilities), identified by physicians, reporting their clinical diagnosis or complaints by the child and/or the family.Results—After a follow up period of 3.6–29.2 months after the accident, six children died and 78 (10%) were lost to follow up. Among the 701 others, 73 (10.4%) presented 80 sequelae, major (limiting daily activities) in 44 children (6.3%), with no gender difference. These increased significantly with age. The main causes of major sequelae were eye injuries and sports related injuries to the limbs. ISS did not correlate well with sequelae, but the maximum abbreviated injury scale appeared to be a better predictor of long term functional prognosis.Conclusion—Prospective follow up and population based studies are still needed, especially on children's injuries initially perceived as benign, such as most of the sports related injuries in our study.
Comparison of work related fatal injuries in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand: method and overall findings
Authors: Feyer A-M , Williamson A M , Stout N , Driscoll T , Usher H , Langley J D 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—To compare the extent, distribution, and nature of fatal occupational injury in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.Setting—Workplaces in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.Methods—Data collections based on vital records were used to compare overall rates and distribution of fatal injuries covering the period 1989–92 in Australia and the United States, and 1985–94 in New Zealand. Household labour force data (Australia and the United States) and census data (New Zealand) provided denominator data for calculation of rates. Case definition, case inclusion criteria, and classification of occupation and industry were harmonised across the three datasets.Results—New Zealand had the highest average annual rate (4.9/100 000), Australia an intermediate rate (3.8/100 000), and the United States the lowest rate (3.2/100 000) of fatal occupational injury. Much of the difference between countries was accounted for by differences in industry distribution. In each country, male workers, older workers, and those working in agriculture, forestry and fishing, in mining and in construction, were consistently at higher risk. Intentional fatal injury was more common in the United States, being rare in both Australia and New Zealand. This difference is likely to be reflected in the more common incidence of work related fatal injuries for sales workers in the United States compared with Australia and New Zealand.Conclusions—The present results contrasted with those obtained by a recent study that used published omnibus statistics, both in terms of absolute rates and relative ranking of the three countries. Such differences underscore the importance of using like datasets for international comparisons. The consistency of high risk areas across comparable data from comparable nations provides clear targets for further attention. At this stage, however, it is unclear whether the same specific occupations and/or hazards are contributing to the aggregated industry and occupation group rates reported here.
Injuries among children and youth in farm households: Regional Rural Injury Study-I
Authors: Gerberich S G , Gibson R W , French L R , Renier C M , Lee T-Y , Carr W P , Shutske J 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—The purpose of this effort was to identify the incidence and consequences of both farming and non-farming related injuries and the potential risk factors for farming related injuries among children and youth, aged 0–19 years, who lived in farm households in a large region of the United States.Methods—Data were collected from randomly selected farm households during 1990. Rates and rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for sociodemographic and exposure variables. Multivariate analyses were conducted, using a priori and backward stepwise logistic regression models.Results—Within the population of 3939 farm households and 13 144 persons, children and youth accounted for 33%. Injury rates for farming and non-farming sources, respectively, were 1683 and 6980 per 100 000 persons. Animals (40%) were the primary sources of the farming operation related injuries; sports/recreation sources (61%) were associated primarily with non-farming related injuries. Of the farming and non-farming operation related injury cases, 83% and 90%, respectively, required some type of health care; moreover, 17% and 24%, respectively, were restricted from regular activities for one month or more. Through multivariate analyses, important increased rate ratios were observed for operating a tractor, working with dairy cattle, and being male. Increased rate ratios for working with beef cattle, operating a harvester, and living on a farm where there were all terrain vehicles in use, and a decreased rate ratio for living on a farm where there were sheep, appeared suggestive.Conclusions—Based on the relevant rates, injury consequences, and potential risk factors identified, injuries to children and youth on farms represent a significant problem. Future analytic studies are essential to identify more specific risk factors that can serve as a basis for development of appropriate intervention efforts. Given the population at risk, and the opportunity for intervention in this unique occupational setting, many of these injuries may be readily amenable to prevention efforts.
Potential benefits of restrictions on the transport of teenage passengers by 16 and 17 year old drivers
Authors: Chen L-H , Braver E R , Baker S P , Li G 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—The presence of passengers is associated with fatal motor vehicle crashes of teenage drivers. A restriction against newly licensed teenage drivers carrying passengers has been included in some, but not all, graduated licensing systems. The purpose of this study was to predict the net effects on all types of road users, including vehicle occupants and non-occupants, of possible prohibitions against 16–17 year old drivers carrying passengers.Methods—Two national datasets, a census of fatal crashes and a sample of trips in the United States, were used to compute 1995 road user death rates. Potential effects of restrictions on drivers ages 16–17 carrying passengers younger than 20 were estimated, based on road user death rates and potential choices made by passengers who would have traveled with 16–17 year old drivers if there were no restrictions.Results—There were 1181 road user deaths in 1995 involving drivers ages 16–17 whose passengers were all younger than age 20. The predicted number of lives in the United States that would be saved annually ranges from 83 to 493 (corresponding to reductions of 7–42% in road user deaths) for drivers ages 16 and 17 combined. Similar percentages of reductions (8–44%) were predicted solely for 16 year old drivers. Assuming passenger restrictions would apply to all 16 year old drivers and at least one third of 17 year old drivers, an estimated 60–344 fewer deaths per year may occur if restrictions are mandated.Conclusions—Restrictions on carrying passengers younger than 20 should be considered for inclusion in graduated licensing systems. Even if fewer than half the drivers obey the restrictions, a substantial reduction in road user deaths would be expected. Further evaluation based on real world experience is needed to confirm their efficacy.
Pupil injury risks as a function of physical and psychosocial environmental problems experienced at school
Authors: Laflamme L , Menckel E 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—To investigate relations between physical and psychosocial environmental problems in schools, as perceived by school principals, and injuries among pupils.Method—Proportionate injury ratios (PIRs) were computed for 77 public sector Swedish schools (33 248 pupils), and divided into four classes based on types of environmental problems reported. Sports related injuries, injuries during recesses, and violence related injuries were considered.Results—The schools reporting psychosocial problems (9.1% of schools and 7.3% of pupils) had more injuries than expected by chance than all types of injuries aggregated (PIR = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64 to 2.27), and in the case of sports related injuries (PIR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.34) and injuries due to physical violence (PIR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.33 to 3.65). There were no significant excess risks of injuries for schools facing physical problems or a combination of physical and psychosocial problems.Conclusions—Psychosocial problems may exacerbate the risk of intentional and unintentional injuries among pupils. The results offer a reminder that school environment must be planned as part of any assessment of youth safety.
Booster seats for child passengers: lessons for increasing their use
Authors: Rivara F P , Bennett E , Crispin B , Kruger K , Ebel B , Sarewitz A 
Published: October 2002

Objective—To explore parental knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and barriers to use of booster seats in cars for 4–8 year old children.Methods—Three focus groups conducted by a professional marketing firm.Results—Many parents were confused about the appropriate weight and age of children who should be in booster seats; most parents incorrectly identified the age at which it was safe to use a lap-shoulder belt. Legislation was viewed as a positive factor in encouraging use. Cost of seats was frequently cited as a barrier to ownership, as were child resistance, peer pressure from older children, the need to accommodate other children in the vehicle, and the belief that a lap belt was adequate. Messages from health care providers, emergency medical services, or law enforcement personnel were believed to be most effective.Conclusion—Campaigns to promote booster seat use should address issues of knowledge about appropriate age and size of the child, cost, inadequacy of lap belts, and resistance to use by the child.
Bicycle helmet use among schoolchildren—the influence of parental involvement and children's attitudes
Authors: Berg P , Westerling R 
Published: October 2002

Objective—To study attitudes towards and use of bicycle helmets among schoolchildren; to determine whether these attitudes are associated with the involvement of parents and school in bike safety.Settings—Nine intermediate level schools and five upper level schools in two Swedish municipalities.Method—A survey with 1485 participants aimed at pupils aged 12–15 years conducted during late spring 1997. Associations between parent and school involvement and children's attitudes and helmet use were studied using LisRel analyses.Result—At some point during their school years, a majority of the children stopped wearing bicycle helmets. Of 12–13 year olds, 80% said that they had used helmets when they were younger but at the time of the study, only 3% aged 14–15 years used helmets. Use decreased significantly during school years (p<0.001). The majority stated they quit using helmets because they were ugly, silly, uncomfortable, or inconvenient. There was a strong association between parental involvement, children's attitudes, and helmet use. However, parent involvement decreased as the children grew older.Conclusion—To increase the voluntary use of bicycle helmets among schoolchildren their attitudes must be influenced. An intervention aimed at both parents and children may be required.
Barriers to safe hot tap water: results from a national study of New Zealand plumbers
Authors: Jaye C , Simpson J C , Langley J D 
Published: October 2002

Introduction—Many countries still have unacceptably high hospitalizations and deaths from scalds from hot tap water. Prevention strategies implemented in some countries may not work in others. Legislation aimed at changing environments that are conducive to hot tap water scalds may not be effective in many situations for a number of reasons, including lack of acceptability and practicality.Method—A qualitative study of a purposefully selected group of craftsman plumbers across New Zealand was conducted using a structured format with open ended questions. The questionnaire was administered by telephone. Information was sought on the opinions, knowledge, and practice of these plumbers regarding hot tap water safety in homes.Results—Several barriers to hot tap water safety in homes were identified by the plumbers. These included common characteristics of homes with unsafe hot tap water, such as hot water systems heated by solid fuel, and public ignorance of hot tap water safety. Other factors that emerged from the analysis included a lack of knowledge by plumbers of the hazards of hot tap water, as well as a lack of importance given to hot tap water safety in their plumbing practice. Shower performance and the threat to health posed by legionella were prioritized over the prevention of hot tap water scalds.Conclusion—The findings of this study allow an understanding of the practical barriers to safe hot tap water and the context in which interventions have been applied, often unsuccessfully. This study suggests that plumbers can represent a barrier if they lack knowledge, skills, or commitment to hot tap water safety. Conversely, they represent a potential source of advocacy and practical expertise if well informed, skilled, and committed to hot tap water safety.
Hospitalized fall injuries and race in California
Authors: Ellis A A , Trent R B 
Published: October 2002

Objective—To compare risks for falls and their consequences among four major race/ethnic groups in California.Methods—Cases are 104 902 hospital discharges of California residents with a same level fall injury as the principal external cause of injury. Included are all discharges for a first hospitalization for a given injury in any California non-federal hospital from 1995–97. Analysis includes crude and age standardized rates to describe risks, diagnoses, and consequences.Results—Rates per 100 000 for same level hospitalized fall injuries for whites (161) are distinctively higher than for blacks (64), Hispanics (43), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (35). Whites are more likely to have a fracture diagnosis and to be discharged to long term care rather than home, suggesting a poorer outcome or greater severity. Same level falls absorb a large proportion of hospital resources directed to the treatment of injuries.Conclusions—In a four way comparison among race/ethnic groups, whites are distinguished by their high incidence, rates of fracture, and unfavorable discharge status. Prevention, particularly aimed at whites, has potential to improve health and save treatment resources.
Dog bite and injury prevention—analysis, critical review, and research agenda
Authors: Ozanne-Smith J , Ashby K , Stathakis V Z 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—To analyze Australian dog bite injury data and make international comparisons; to review risk and protective factors relating to the dog, injured person, and environment; and to recommend action for prevention and research.Methods—Australian dog bite injury data, complemented by detailed Victorian and regional data from routine health records and vital statistics, were analyzed to determine incidence, severity, nature, circumstances, and trends. International comparison data were extracted from published reports. Risk and protective factor studies were selected for review from electronic and bibliographic searches where data were recent, sample sizes substantial, and bias limited.Results—The Australian dog bite death rate (0.004/100 000) is lower than both the United States (0.05–0.07/100 000) and Canadian rates (0.007/100 000). Victorian hospitalized trend rates were stable between 1987 and 1998, but there was a decline for children <5 years (p=0.019) corresponding with a reduction in dog ownership. Children 0–4 years have the highest rate of serious injury, particularly facial. Adults have longer hospitalizations, most frequently for upper extremity injury. Risk factors include: child, males, households with dogs, certain breeds, male dogs, home location, and leashed dog.Conclusions—Dog bite rates are high and it may therefore be assumed that current preventative interventions are inadequate. Responsible dog ownership, including separating young children from dogs, avoiding high risk dogs, neutering, regulatory enforcement, and standardized monitoring of bite rates are required. Controlled investigations of further risk and protective factors, and validated methods of breed identification, are needed.
Vehicles reversing or rolling backwards: an underestimated hazard
Authors: Mayr J M , Eder C , Wernig J , Zebedin D , Berghold A , Corkum S H 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—A retrospective analysis of injuries caused by vehicles that were reversing or rolling backwards to establish guidelines for prevention was performed.Patients and methods—Medical records and questionnaires completed by parents for 32 children admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graz, within the past eight years, were analysed.Results—The median age was 2.1 years (1.0–14.0 years). Fourteen of 32 of the cars were driven by family members (43.8%); three were rolling backwards without a driver (9.4%). The median injury severity score was 3 (1–27) and the most common injuries were contusions (40.6%), fractures (31.3%), and lacerations/burns (21.9%). Most incidents occurred in driveways (37.5%) or farmyards (21.9%). Altogether 70.3% of children sustained “run-over” injuries, 29.6% were hit by the rear bumper or injured by a breaking window.Conclusions—Toddlers playing in driveways or farmyards are at risk of a injury caused by reversing vehicles/vehicles rolling backwards.
Use of Washington State newspapers for submersion injury surveillance
Authors: Baullinger J , Quan L , Bennett E , Cummings P , Williams K 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—To evaluate the usefulness of newspapers as a surveillance tool for submersion injury, the proportion of submersion events and important details reported in Washington State newspapers was determined. It was also determined whether a letter sent to newspaper editors to encourage reporting changed the proportion and content of reported submersion events.Methods—Newspaper articles regarding submersion were collected from 225 Washington newspapers from June 1993 through September 1998. Newspaper articles were linked to computerized state death and hospital records. Reporting during periods before and after a letter was sent encouraging more newspaper articles on submersion injury and preventative factors was compared.Results—A total of 1874 submersion victims were identified in the three data sources. Of the 983 victims who had a death certificate, 52% were reported in at least one news article. Of the 471 persons in hospital discharge data, 25% were reported in a newspaper. Reporting of pediatric victims who died increased from 63% to 79% (p=0.008); reporting of hospitalized persons increased from 23% to 27% (p=0.3). There were increases in reporting of swimming ability (7% to 15%, p<0.001), supervision (82% to 91%, p<0.001), and alcohol use (7% to 24%, p<0.001). Reporting of life vest use decreased (35% to 23%, p<0.001).Conclusions—Newspapers failed to report about one half of fatal submersions and three quarters of submersions that resulted in a hospitalization. An effort to improve reporting was associated with an increase in the proportion of pediatric drownings that were reported, but a consistent improvement in content was found. The usefulness of newspaper articles as a surveillance tool may be limited.
Case-crossover studies of occupational trauma: methodological caveats
Authors: Sorock G S , Lombardi D A , Gabel C L , Smith G S , Mittleman M A 
Published: October 2002

Objectives—The case-crossover study design was developed to examine triggers for the onset of myocardial infarction. This paper seeks to examine selected methodological issues when applying the case-crossover method to the study of traumatic injuries in the work environment.Methods—Researchers known to be working on occupational case-crossover studies were invited to present at a workshop held at the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium in October 2000. Data from ongoing studies were used to illustrate various methodological issues involved in case-crossover studies of occupational injury.Key findings and issues identified—To utilize the case-crossover design, investigators must clearly define the time during which a worker is at risk of injury, the period of time during which a particular transient exposure could cause an injury and carefully select control time periods that estimate the expected frequency of exposure. Other issues of concern are changing work tasks over time, correlated exposures over time and information bias.Conclusions and future research needs—More case-crossover studies of occupational injury are needed to compare results from multiple studies. The validation of the timing of transient exposures relative to injury onset, whether done in a laboratory or field setting, should be conducted. Nested case-crossover designs in other epidemiological studies (case-control or cohort) can examine both transient and fixed risk factors for occupational injury, and should be attempted.
Agricultural Disability Awareness and Risk Education (AgDARE) for high school students
Authors: Reed D B , Kidd P S , Westneat S , Rayens M K 
Published: October 2002

Objective—Develop and test a farm health and injury prevention educational intervention for high school agriculture students.Setting—Twenty one high schools in Kentucky, Iowa, and Mississippi.Methods—A quasiexperimental crossover design was used to test the effectiveness of two sets of instructional materials designed through participatory action research with agriculture teachers and students. Narrative simulations based on farm work stories and simulations of farm work while students pretended to have a disability were completed in 14 schools (n = 373) over the academic year. Students in seven control schools (n = 417) received no intervention but completed, in the same time frame as students in the treatment schools, demographic surveys and pre-measures and post-measures of farm safety attitudes and intent to change safety behaviors. One year after the intervention, 29 students from the treatment group received farm visits to measure their farm safety behaviors.Results—Students engaged in hazardous work on farms. Thirty two were involved in tractor overturns and 11 had received injuries from rotating power take-off mechanisms. One fourth reported hearing problems, and 21% had respiratory symptoms after working in dusty farm surroundings. Students who completed at least two physical and two narrative simulations of the Agricultural Disability Awareness and Risk Education (AgDARE) curriculum showed statistically significant positive changes in farm safety attitude and intent to change behaviors.Conclusions—Adolescents engage in farm work that places them at risk for injury and illness. The AgDARE curriculum may be an effective and efficient method of teaching farm safety in high school agriculture classes.