Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Local Community — 20 Years Experience from Norway
Tellnes G., Lund J.
Department of General Practice and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
Abstract
Aim: A multifactorial injury prevention programme started in 1981 and ran for about 10 years in an island community in Norway with a population of about 1000. A study was undertaken to evaluate effects of the programme over a period of 20 years. Methods: Injuries were recorded by the one medical doctor on the island several years during the period 1970—2001. The programme was carried out with high intensity from 1981 to 1987. The intensity gradually decreased to a medium level that lasted until about 1994, when it was further reduced to a low level. Results: The injury incidence rate was reduced from 17.7% in 1980 (N=188) to 9.7% in 1987 (N=97) with relative risk reduced to 0.55 (95% CI: 0.44—0.70, p<0.0001). In 2001, an incidence rate of 9.6% was observed (N=91). An even higher reduction was observed for serious injuries. The age groups 15—24 and 65+ showed the most distinct reductions from 1980—2001 while minor reduction was observed in children (0—14 years). The incidence rate of traffic injuries was reduced by 77% in spite of an increase in the number of motor vehicles. Occupational, home and other injuries were reduced by 38, 35, and 49% respectively. The incidence rates were 2.6—3.0 times higher for men than for women through the 20 years observation period. Conclusion: This study indicates that a longlasting multifactorial communitybased intervention in a small community with defined aims may lead to a considerable and longlasting reduction in injuries.
Language: english
Summary
Tellnes G., Lund J.
Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Local Community — 20 Years Experience from Norway // Electronic periodical “Herald of the International Academy of Sciences. Russian Section”, 2007. Issue #2: 12—