TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Dog bites: still a problem?
JO  - Injury prevention
A1  - Gilchrist, Julie
A1  - Sacks, Jeffrey J.
A1  - White, D.
A1  - Kresnow, Marcie-jo
SP  - 296
EP  - 301
VL  - 14
IS  - 5
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of dog bites in the USA and compare it with similar estimates from 1994. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross-sectional, list-assisted, random-digit-dialed telephone survey conducted during 2001-2003. METHODS: Weighted estimates were generated from data collected by surveying 9684 households during 2001-2003 and compared with results from a similar survey conducted in 1994. Estimates for persons aged 15-17 years were extrapolated on the basis of rates for 10-14-year-olds. RESULTS: Whereas the incidence of dog bites among adults remained relatively unchanged, there was a significant (47%) decline in the incidence of dog bites among children compared with that observed in the 1994 survey, particularly among boys and among those aged 0-4 years. Between 2001 and 2003, an estimated 4 521 300 persons were bitten each year. Of these, 885 000 required medical attention (19%). Children were more likely than adults to receive medical attention for a dog bite. Among adults, bite rates decreased with increasing age. Among children and adults, having a dog in the household was associated with a significantly increased incidence of dog bites, with increasing incidence also related to increasing numbers of dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Dog bites continue to be a public health problem affecting 1.5% of the US population annually. Although comparison with similar data from 1994 suggests that bite rates for children are decreasing, there still appears to be a need for effective prevention programs.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1353-8047
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2007.016220
ID  - ref1
ER  -