CONTACT US: Contact info
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Citation |
O'Connor PJ. Inj. Prev. 2005; 11(4): 204-206. |
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Affiliation |
peteroconnor@netspace.net.au |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
16081746 |
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PMCID |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVES: To assess differentials in the poisoning rates of children aged 0-4 years according to residential location and geographical remoteness. DESIGN: Cross sectional study based on hospitalizations. SETTING: Australia. SUBJECTS: Children aged 0-4 years admitted to hospital due to poisoning during the financial year 1996-97. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Crude rates of hospitalization. RESULTS: The rate of hospitalization due to poisoning peaked in the third year and second year of life for medicinal and non-medicinal substances respectively. Rates were significantly higher among children aged 0-4 years residing in rural and remote areas when compared with those residing in metropolitan areas, and rate differentials increased with geographical remoteness. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differentials suggest the need for targeted research and prevention efforts aimed at rural and remote area communities. A detailed empirical study is recommended, involving the assessment of risk factors and an in-home hazard checklist, as a precursor to any intervention program. |