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Evaluation of the Waitakere Community Injury Prevention Project
  1. Carolyn Coggan1,
  2. Pam Patterson1,
  3. Marilyn Brewin1,
  4. Rhonda Hooper1,
  5. Elizabeth Robinson2
  1. 1Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
  2. 2Department of Community Health, University of Auckland
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Coggan
 (e-mail: c.coggan{at}auckland.ac.nz)

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the Waitakere Community Injury Prevention Project (WCIPP).

Methods—Process and outcome evaluations were conducted over a three year period. Process activities included analysis of project documentation, participant observation, key informant interviews, and two post-implementation case studies. A quasiexperimental design was used for the outcome evaluation. Three primary sources of data were collected and analysed: injury statistics; a pre-post telephone survey (n=4000); and a pre-post organisation survey (n=144).

Results—Process evaluation provided a comprehensive account of the operation and activities of the WCIPP. Findings stress the pivotal role of the coordinators and highlight the value of incorporating a multicultural approach. A positive impact on changes to Waitakere City Council safety policies and practices was also evident. Outcome evaluation findings demonstrated significant reductions in rates of Waitakere child injury hospitalisations (p<0.05), while comparison communities showed an increase in child hospitalisation rates. In addition, compared with pre-intervention and comparison data, significantly more Waitakere residents were aware of injury prevention safety messages (p=0.0001) and had acquired appropriate child safety items (p=0.0001).

Conclusion—The community injury prevention model appears to be an effective strategy for injury prevention. The support provided by the council for the WCIPP has provided a benchmark for the role of local governments in injury prevention.

  • evaluation
  • safe communities
  • interventions

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