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Citation
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Herman J, Peiris-John R, Wainiqolo I, Kafoa B, Laginikoro P, McCaig E, Ameratunga S. J. Paediatr. Child Health 2016; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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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: To determine the burden and characteristics of fatal and hospitalised injuries among youth in Fiji.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals database - a prospective population-based trauma registry - to examine the incidence and epidemiological characteristics associated with injury-related deaths and hospital admissions among youth aged 15-24 years. The study base was Viti Levu, Fiji, during the 12-month period concluding on 30 September 2006.
RESULTS: One in four injuries in the Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals database occurred among youth (n = 515, incidence rate 400/100 000). Injury rates were higher among men, those aged 20-24 years compared with 15- to 19-year-olds, and indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) compared with Indians. The leading causes among indigenous Fijians were being hit by a person/object (men) and falls (women), whereas for Indians, it was road traffic injuries (men) and intentional poisoning (women). Most injuries occurred at home (39%) or on the road (22%). Of the 63 fatal events, 57% were intentional injuries, and most deaths (73%) occurred prior to hospitalisation. Homicide rates were four times higher among indigenous Fijians than Indians, whereas suicide rates were five times higher among Indians compared with indigenous Fijians.
CONCLUSIONS: Important ethnic-specific differences in the epidemiology of fatal and serious non-fatal injuries are apparent among youth in Fiji. Efforts to prevent the avoidable burden of injury among Fiji youth thus requires inter-sectoral cooperation that takes account of important sociocultural, environmental and health system factors such as unmet mental healthcare needs and effective pre-hospital trauma services.
© 2016 The Authors Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).
Language: en |