TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Epidemiology of fatal and hospitalised injuries among youth in Fiji (TRIP 15)
JO  - Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
A1  - Herman, Josephine
A1  - Peiris-John, Roshini
A1  - Wainiqolo, Iris
A1  - Kafoa, Berlin
A1  - Laginikoro, Paul
A1  - McCaig, Eddie
A1  - Ameratunga, Shanthi
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - AIM: To determine the burden and characteristics of fatal and hospitalised injuries among youth in Fiji. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>© 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).<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1034-4810
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpc.13250
ID  - ref1
ER  -