Non-fatal injury presentations to the Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department 1998-2000

Carter, Anthony, and Muller, Reinhold (2002) Non-fatal injury presentations to the Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department 1998-2000. In: Muller, Reinhold, (ed.) Reducing Injuries in Mackay, North Queensland. Warwick Educational Publishing, Warwick, QLD, Australia, pp. 74-94.

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Abstract

Objective: To study patterns and causes of non-fatal injury in the Mackay Region (population 103 942) in order to develop specific injury prevention programs and obtain a baseline measurement of injury frequency for evaluation of the Safe Communities Project.

Methods: The Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department (MBHED) has collected Level 2 National Data Standard for Injury Surveillance (NDS-IS) data for all injury presentations during the years 1998 to 2000. Data of demographic variables, circumstances and nature of injuries have been recorded. Results: A total of 26,104 injuries presented to the MBHED in 1998 to 2000, resulting in a direct standardised injury presentation rate of 8,218 per 100,000 persons per year. The overall male to female ratio is 2.1:1. In the 15 to 29 years age category, males (20,317/105/yr) are nearly three times more likely than females (7,608/105/yr) to be injured. The majority of injuries (71.4%) are assessed at presentation as semi-urgent. The direct standardised injury admission rate is 964 per 100,000 persons per year. Nearly half (41.1%) of all injuries occurred in the home. This is most evident in children up to 4 years old (males 7,581/105/yr, females 6,908/105/yr) and in people 55 years or older (males 2,072/105/yr, females 1,789/105/yr). Injuries in the home are mainly associated with personal (1,687/105/yr) and leisure (1,230/105/yr) activities. Working for income is the most likely injury activity for males in the 15 to 29 years (5,283/105/yr) and the 30 to 54 years (3,205/105/yr) age categories. Sporting injuries were most frequent in 15 to 29 year old males (3,751/105/yr). Falls were the most frequently identified injury for females of all age categories.

Conclusion: The main target groups identified for surveillance and intervention strategies for the Mackay/Whitsunday Safe Communities Project are:

• Injuries in 15 to 29 year old males;

• Injuries in over 55 year old females;

• Fall injuries in the home in 0 to 4 and over 55 year olds;

• Workplace injuries in 15 to 54 year old males;

• Sport and recreational injuries in 5 to 29 year old males.

Item ID: 14379
Item Type: Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN: 978-0-9579788-2-9
Keywords: injury prevention; non-fatal injuries
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Date Deposited: 06 Dec 2010 04:34
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111711 Health Information Systems (incl Surveillance) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920205 Health Education and Promotion @ 100%
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