Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention
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Comparative Study
Characteristics and outcomes of self inflicted pediatric injuries: the role of method of suicide attempt.
To examine the epidemiologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of self inflicted pediatric injuries in relation to the method of suicide attempt. ⋯ Boys and older children tend to use more lethal methods in suicide attempts. Even in this age group, suicide attempts often involve psychiatric disorders and acute abuse of alcohol or other illicit drugs. Firearms are associated with significantly increased risk of inhospital fatality. The clinical outcomes of self inflicted injuries appear to be worse than other injuries treated in the same trauma centers.
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To pilot data collection instruments and to make a preliminary estimate of the level of incorrect use of car seat belts and child restraints in Fife, Scotland. ⋯ The incorrect use of car occupant restraints is an under-recognised problem, both by health professionals, and the general public. Incorrect use has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of restraints, can itself result in injury, and is likely to be an important factor in child passenger injuries. The correct use of car seat restraints merits greater attention in strategies aiming to reduce road traffic casualties. Areas of intervention that could be considered include raising public awareness of this problem, improving information and instruction given to those who purchase child restraints, and encouraging increased collaboration between manufacturers of cars and child restraints, in considering safety issues.
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To determine the household prevalence of firearms in Pennsylvania, and describe the storage practices for these weapons. ⋯ Firearms are present in a large number of Pennsylvania homes. Many of these homes also contain children. To reduce the potential risks of firearms, optimal methods of storage of firearms in the home need to be determined.