TY - JOUR PY - 2000// TI - Domestic fire injuries treated in New Zealand hospitals 1988-1995 JO - New Zealand medical journal A1 - Duncanson, M. A1 - Woodward, Alistair J. A1 - Langley, John Desmond A1 - Clements, M. A1 - Harris, R. A1 - Reid, P. SP - 245 EP - 247 VL - 113 IS - 1112 N2 - AIM: To describe demographic features of people discharged from New Zealand hospitals following injury caused by fire and flame in domestic locations. METHOD: Review of hospital discharge data for the years 1988-1995. RESULTS: From 1988-1995 there were 1493 discharges from New Zealand hospitals with injury as the result of fire and flame in domestic locations. Age-standardised hospitalisation rates for fire related injury over the period have been stable, with an overall discharge rate of 5.45 hospitalisations per 100000 person years. Male discharges exceeded female in all years (RR 1.97, 95% CI 1.73-2.14). Stratification by age indicated that discharge rates were highest among New Zealanders aged over 75 years and under fifteen years. Maori discharge rates exceeded non-Maori over all age groups (RR 3.3, 95% CI 2.82-3.58). CONCLUSION: Maori discharge rates for fire related injury in the home are substantially higher than non-Maori in all age groups, and highlight the importance of developing culturally appropriate injury prevention strategies. Social and material determinants of injury need to be addressed through public policy, provision of quality housing and community development initiatives. LA - SN - 0028-8446 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -