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Affiliation
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Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. |
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Abstract
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AIM: This study investigated the characteristics and contexts of unintentional cutting or piercing injuries at home amongst young and middle-aged adults.
METHODS: We conducted a population-based study of individuals aged 20-64 years who were admitted to hospital in the Auckland, Waikato and Otago regions of New Zealand following an unintentional cutting or piercing injury sustained at home. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire covering a range of factors including demographic information, circumstances of the injury, and personal factors such as medication, alcohol and recreational drug use.
RESULTS: Of 340 eligible cases, 267(78.5%) were interviewed. The overall age-specific hospitalization rate for cutting or piercing injuries was 30.7 per 100,000 (95% CI 27.4-33.9). The highest hospitalization rates occurred amongst males aged 20-24 and 60-64years. Common mechanisms of injury were: contact with sharp glass (30.0%), contact with a powered hand tool or household machinery (29.7%), contact with knife (10.8%), and contact with non-powered hand tool (10.8%). The mechanism of injury varied significantly by gender, age, and ethnicity.
CONCLUSION: Prevention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of cutting or piercing injuries occurring at home should focus on those most at risk including males aged 20-24 years, from injury by sharp glass, and those aged 40-64 years, from powered lawnmower, hand tool or household machinery-related injuries.
Language: en |