Article Text
Abstract
Background The global burden of MVC injuries and deaths among vulnerable road users, has led to the implementation of prevention programmes and policies at the local and national level. MVC epidemiological research is key to quantifying MVC burden, identifying risk factors and evaluating interventions. There are, however, several methodological considerations in MVC epidemiological research.
Methods This manuscript collates and describes methodological considerations in MVC epidemiological research, using examples drawn from published studies, with a focus on the vulnerable road user population of children and adolescents.
Results Methodological considerations in MVC epidemiological research include the availability and quality of data to measure counts and calculate event rates and challenges in evaluation related to study design, measurement and statistical analysis. Recommendations include innovative data collection (eg, naturalistic design, stepped-wedge clinical trials), combining data sources for a more comprehensive representation of collision events, and the use of machine learning/artificial intelligence for large data sets.
Conclusions MVC epidemiological research can be challenging at all levels: data capture and quality, study design, measurement and analysis. Addressing these challenges using innovative data collection and analysis methods is required.
- methodology
- epidemiology
- motor vehicle - non traffic
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Footnotes
Twitter @lirazfridman1
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data availability statement There are no data in this work.