Citation

Mo F, Neutel IC, Morrison H, Hopkins D, Da Silva C, Jiang Y. BMJ Open 2013; 3(3): 12-002052.

Affiliation

Public Health Agency of Canada, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Consumer Product Safety and Injury Risk Assessment Program Working Group, Science Integration Division, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002052

PMID

23491751

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and factors affecting activity-limiting injuries (ALI) in individuals and in the Canadian population; to estimate the short and long term impact on health status and well-being because of ALI in Canada from 1994 to 2006 using the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS). DESIGN: The NPHS is a randomised longitudinal cohort study with biennial interviews, with information on age, sex, education, marital status, income, residence, height and weight to self-perceived health status, healthcare utilisation and medication use in addition to ALI. SETTING: The study population was a random sample of male and female participants 20 years and older from 10 provinces and three territories in Canada. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Logistic regression models were used to assess the potential impact of ALI on individuals and on the Canadian population. The interviews 2 years before and 2 years after the ALI were compared to examine long-term effects, and the McNemar test option in SAS was used for the matched analysis. RESULTS: The immediate impacts of ALI were pain, disability and disruption of regular life. Long-term effects in patients were chronic pain and increased medical doctor visits. Population impact included a considerable increase in healthcare access and cost. The odds ratios (OR) for the 20-39 age group compared with those 60+ was 2.2; 95% CI 1.8 to 2.7, while the OR associated with male participants was 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6. Individuals consuming nine or more alcoholic drinks per week were also significantly more likely to report an ALI (OR, 1.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 1.8). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study illustrated the immediate and long-term impact of individuals and population level injuries in Canada. Injury control policies should aim to prevent the number of injuries, fatalities as well as the consequences among survivors.

Language: en