OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
A presentation of
Ontario Injury Prevention Resource Centre
Supporting practitioners to reduce injury in Ontario
www.oninjuryresources.ca
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners
Module 2 Common Types of Injuries
and their Risk Factors
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Common Causes of Injury Identified by looking at:
• emergency department (ED) visits
• hospitalizations
• fatalities
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Common Causes of Injury These include:
Falls
Motor vehicle crashes
Pedestrian incidents
Sport & recreation
Suffocation/breathing incidents
Poisoning
Off-road vehicles
Unintentional Injuries Intentional Injuries
Violence
Self-harm and suicide
*based on 2007-2009 Ontario data
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Identifying Risk Factors
Risk factors help identify high risk groups and individuals, so resources can be directed appropriately.
Research sheds light on risk factors for each type of injury.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Age as a Risk FactorAge is an important consideration for discussing risk factors.
Individual, social and environmental changes occur as we age, affecting exposure to risk.
Some practitioners work according to life stage rather than
cause of injury (e.g. child injury prevention vs. road safety)
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Falls
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Each age group has unique risk factors:
Falls
Children
Teens
Adults
Older Adults
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Falls in Children Risk Factor Description
Natural CuriosityNatural curiosity about the environment. Inexperience assessing risks.
Young Age Greater risk for younger children aged 0 - 6.
Low Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Greater risk for children coming from a lower SES.
Play EquipmentRisk impacted by level of maintenance, height, surfaces, and level of active supervision.
Home Environment Risk impacted by furniture placed near windows, the appropriate use of stair and window guards, and level of active supervision.
Sex Greater risk for boys than girls.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Falls in TeensRisk Factor Description
Increase in Risk Taking Behaviour
Teens show an increase in risk-taking behaviour.
Substance Use Teens may begin using alcohol or other drugs.
Work ConditionsBeginning of working years. Workplace risks include tripping hazards and heights.
Sport and RecreationParticipation in sports and recreational activities, particularly involving skates, skis, rollerblades, etc.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Falls in AdultsRisk Factor Description
Risk Taking Behaviour Varying levels of risk-taking behaviour among adults.
Substance Use Alcohol and other drug use can contribute to fall risk.
Unsafe Work Conditions Work conditions include using heavy or tall equipment.
Environmental Hazards Outdoor hazards include ice, snow, and poorly maintained public spaces. Indoor hazards include clutter and stairs.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Falls in Older Adults❖ High prevalence of falls in this age group (65 & over).
❖ High risk of injury after a fall in frail older adults.
❖ Risk factors and prevention strategies have been extensively researched.
Four categories of risk factors:
Biological
Behavioural
Social/economic
Environmental
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Falls in Older Adults
Biological • Mobility (balance, gait, weakness) • Chronic disease (diabetes, arthritis) • Visual impairment • Acute illness
Behavioural • History of falling • Fear of falling • Taking multiple medications • Lack of exercise • Poor nutrition
Social/Economic • Living alone • Lack of social support • Lack of appropriate transportation
Environmental • Building maintenance • Home hazards (loose rugs, pets) • Uneven surfaces
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Motor Vehicle Crashes
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Risk factors can be grouped in
categories4
Motor Vehicle Crashes
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Motor Vehicle Crashes
1Factors influencing
exposure
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Motor Vehicle Crashes
2Factors influencing
involvement in a crash
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Motor Vehicle Crashes
3Factors influencing
crash severity
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Motor Vehicle Crashes
4Factors influencing
post-crash injury severity
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Factors influencing
post-crash injury severity
crash severity
involvement in a crash
exposure
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
ExposureFactors influencing exposure to on-road risk:
Risk Factor Description
Age Younger drivers are at higher risk.
Motorization More cars on the road correlate to more injuries.
Urban Planning Mixture of heavy traffic in highly populated areas. Lack of space for pedestrians and cyclists.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
InvolvementFactors influencing involvement in a road crash:
Risk Factor Description
Speed Driving at high speeds increases risk.
Driver Impairment Impaired driving includes alcohol, drug use, and fatigue.
Distraction Driver inattention.
Weather Conditions Poor weather contributes to increased likelihood of a crash.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Crash severityFactors influencing road crash severity:
Risk Factor Description
In-car Protection Availability and appropriate use of air bags, seatbelts and child restraints.
Excessive Speed Higher speeds correlate to more severe incidents.
Roadside Objects The presence or absence of roadside objects (e.g. trees, poles, signs).
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Post-crash injury severityFactors influencing post-crash injury severity and recovery (injury outcome):
Risk Factor Description
Emergency Response Time Time and quality of response (e.g. access to EMS, pre-hospital care, access to trauma care).
Vehicle factors Design of the vehicle (e.g. type and size)
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Pedestrian Injuries
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Pedestrian Injuries Risk Factor Description
Alcohol Use Alcohol use by either pedestrian or driver.
High Speeds Driving at high speeds increases the chance of pedestrian injuries.
Urban Areas Traffic-heavy urban areas increase risk.
Age - Children Children are at higher risk.
Age - Older Adults Older adults are at higher risk.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Sports & Recreation
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Risk factors for sport and recreation injuries are usually described as
or
intrinsic
extrinsic
Sports & Recreation
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Sports & Recreation
intrinsic
extrinsic
factors relate to the individual
factors relate to the environment
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Sports & Recreation
Intrinsic Risk Factor Description
Previous Injury Those with previous injuries are more likely to be re-injured.
Physical Growth Characteristics
Physiological factors related to growth (e.g. muscle and bone development processes).
Fitness Level Level of fitness (cardiovascular, muscular, balance) and type of activity.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Sports & Recreation
Extrinsic Risk Factor Description
Protective Equipment Proper use of protective equipment, including its condition and compliance with safety regulations.
Rules The rules of a game or activity can impact risk.
Culture The culture of a game or activity can impact risk.
Coaching Impact through the culture of the team, direction of practice and play, and tolerance to injury.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Breathing IncidentsSuffocation &
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Risk Factor Description
Age Young children and adults over 65 are at higher risk.
Sleep Environment
Children: Characteristics include loose blanketing, pillows and unsafe sleep positions.
Older adults in hospitals or nursing home may be exposed to risk of entrapment in bedrails.
Breathing IncidentsSuffocation &
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Poisoning
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Risk Factor Description
AgeChildren are at higher risk, mainly due to curiosity and inexperience with harmful substances.
EnvironmentFactors include storage of medication and other harmful household substances.
Poisoning
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Off-Road Vehicles
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Off-Road Vehicles
Risk Factors Description
Sex Males are more likely to experience an injury than females.
Age Children under age 16 experience a high risk.
ATV Use on Roadways The majority of ATV injuries occur on roadways, and involve collision with another vehicle.
❖ Off-road vehicles include ATVs, boats and aircrafts.
❖ Most ED visits and hospital admissions for off-road incidents
are due to ATV use.
Risk factors for ATV-related injuries:
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Suicide and Self-Harm
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Suicide and Self-HarmResearch has allowed us to gain a better understanding of this issue.
This research is correlational; no one factor or combination of factors causes this behaviour.
There are important distinctions between suicide and self-harm. For more information: OIPRC’s Ontario Regional Injury Data Report (linked below the module).
The risk factors included here pertain to suicide.
Suicide and Self-Harm
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Risk Factor Description
Mental Illness Presence of a mental illness, particularly mood disorders.
Previous Suicide Attempt Having made a previous suicide attempt is a strong risk factor.
Substance Abuse Using alcohol and other drugs increases risk.
Hopelessness Experiencing a feeling of hopelessness increases risk.
Access to Lethal Means Lethal means include firearms, medications, and structures (buildings, railways, bridges).
Suicide
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Violence
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Ecological model of factors leading to violence (World Health Organization).
Cannot be attributed to one risk factor or particular combination of factors.
Violence
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Ecological Model of Violence Risk Factors
Individual
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Relationship Individual
Ecological Model of Violence Risk Factors
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Community Relationship Individual
Ecological Model of Violence Risk Factors
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Societal Community
Source: WHO, 2002.
Relationship Individual
Ecological Model of Violence Risk Factors
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Societal Community Relationship Individual
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Societal Community Relationship
Individual
witnessing violenceuse of alcohol or drugs
presence of mental illnessage
gender
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Societal Community
Relationship
Individual
alcohol / drug usefriends that engage in violence
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Societal
Community
Relationship Individual
housingunemployment
availability of drugs / alcohol
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Societal
Community Relationship Individual
social normsavailability of weapons
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
Violence
For more information: WHO’s World Report on Violence and Health (linked below the module).
Risk factors for violence are complex.
OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only
The Ontario Injury Prevention Resource Centre is supported by Public Health Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
and the Province of Ontario.
The views expressed in this publication are the views of the OIPRC and do not necessarily reflect the views of Public Health Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care or the Province of Ontario.
www.oninjuryresources.ca
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OIPRC - Fundamentals for Injury Prevention Practitioners - for personal educational use only