Community based studies
| Author, date, and country | Injury target group and setting | Aims and content of intervention | Study type and sample size | Outcome measures | Key results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C = control; I = intervention. | |||||
| Svanstrom et al (1995),17 Sweden | 0–14 years. Community-wide | Lidköping Accident Prevention Programme Bicycle helmet campaigns, first aid training, loan schemes, local hazard removal | Controlled trial without randomisation. I1=Lidköping 35 949. C1=4 surrounding municipalities 42 078, C2=Skarabourg county278 162 | (A) Hospital discharge register data | (A) From 1983 to 1991 a reported annual decrease in hospitalised injuries of 2.4% (boys) and 2.1% (girls) in I1. In C1, increase of 0.6% (boys) and 2.2% (girls). In C2 decrease of 1.0% (boys) and 0.3% (girls) InconclusiveReasonable/weak evidence |
| Day et al (1997),18 Australia | General population. Community-wide | Latrobe Valley Better Health Project All age programme to prevent injuries, reduce hazards and increase awareness | Before and after study (non-targeted injuries used for comparison data). (A) Injury surveillance system. (B) Telephone survey 375 pre-test, 400 post-test | (A) Emergency Department presentations. (B) Self reported injury (C) Playground hazards | (A) Decline in attendance rate from 6594 to 4821/100 000 for targeted injuries. Small decrease in non-targeted injuries. (B) Decrease in self-reported injuries from 62.7 to 48.2/1000 (not significant). Increase in injuries requiring medical attention from 24.5% to 31.9% (not significant). (C) Some hazard removal in playgrounds Partially effective/inconclusiveReasonable/weak evidence |
| Petridou et al (1997),19 Greece | 0–18 years. Older adults 65+. Community based | Multifaceted intervention with activities for parents, teachers, and children. Home visits, counselling on home hazards | Controlled trial without randomisation. I=172 households on island of Naxos C=177 households on island of Spetses | (A) Self report injuries. (B) Observed hazards Attitudes Knowledge | (A) No difference in accidents reported in I and C. (B) For I: improvements on 11 out of 28 hazards C: improvements in 1 out of 28 hazards Partially effectiveReasonable/weak evidence |
| Lindquist et al (1999),20 Sweden | General population. Community based | Motala WHO Safe Community All age, all injury programme. Traffic, sport, and recreation targeted | Before and after study I=Motala 41 000 | Hospital admissions, severity and length of stay | In under 20 age group, total injuries decreased by 18% between before and after period InconclusiveReasonable/weak evidence |
| Ytterstad et al (1998),21 Norway | 0–4 years | Harstaad WHO Safe Community Programme All age, all injury prevention Educational activities in a range of settings. Mass media | Controlled trial without randomisation. I1=Harstaad 23 000, I2=6 towns around Harstaad 14 000 C=Trondheim 134 000 | Morbidity data Outpatient admissions records | Decrease in burn injury rates at 51.5% in I1 , 40.1% in I2 and increase of 18.1% in C InconclusiveReasonable/weak evidence |