References
A cross-sectional study of child injury ambulance call-out characteristics and their utility in surveillance
Abstract
Background:
Injuries are a leading cause of death and ill health in children.
Aims:
To explore the potential utility of ambulance call-out data in understanding the burden and characteristics of child injury.
Methods:
A cross-sectional examination was carried out of injury-related ambulance callouts to children aged 0–14 years in the north west of England between April 2016 and March 2017.
Findings:
The majority of the 16 285 call-outs were for unintentional injuries (91.4%), with falls the most prevalent injury type (38.4%). The incidence of child injury ambulance call-outs peaked at age 1 year (233.4 per 10 000 population). Burns in children aged 5–9 years were significantly higher at weekends (
Conclusion:
Ambulance call-out data can provide epidemiological support in examining the characteristics of child injury and identifying at-risk groups.
Injuries continue to be a major public health concern and are a leading cause of death and ill health among children worldwide. Globally, an estimated 644 855 children aged 0–14 years died because of injury in 2016 (World Health Organization (WHO), 2018a), and many more children sustain non-fatal injuries that can have long-term effects on their physical, psychological and social development (Peden et al, 2008; Sethi et al, 2008). This is costly to the healthcare system and society because of disability and inability to work.
However, many injuries are avoidable and preventing child injury is a global public health priority (Krug et al, 2000; Peden et al, 2008; Sethi et al, 2008; WHO, 2014). Effective prevention strategies require information so the extent and characteristics of injury, the populations at risk and what resources are required, and where and when they should be targeted, can be understood. This can be supported through effective injury surveillance systems, and the availability and use of health data intelligence (Holder et al, 2001).
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