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Injury Epidemiology and Public Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health Statistics and Risk Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 43375

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
Interests: injury epidemiology; neuroepidemiology; traumatic brain injury; concussion; spinal injury; pediatric trauma; sports injury; combat sports

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Injury is a major public health problem worldwide, accounting for almost 10% of global mortality. In addition, tens of millions of people suffer nonfatal injuries which result in transient or permanent disability.

There are numerous examples of evidence-informed injury prevention strategies being effective and cost-effective at reducing the burden of a wide range of injuries, including road traffic injury, falls, interpersonal violence, suicide, drowning, poisoning, and sports injuries. However, newer success stories are needed to continue to reduce the burden of injury. We are therefore seeking your contributions to be featured in an upcoming Special Issue on Injury Epidemiology and Public Health.

This Special Issue is open to any subject area related to injury epidemiology and prevention. We are particularly interested in large, epidemiological studies quantifying burden of injury to drive policy change or measuring the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of injury prevention initiatives of strategies. We welcome contributions featuring under-researched injury problems or under-researched populations.

Dr. Reidar P. Lystad
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Injury epidemiology
  • Injury prevention
  • Population-based studies
  • Data linkage
  • Priority-setting
  • Policy change
  • Under-researched injury problems
  • Under-researched populations
  • Social and cultural determinants
  • Unmet needs

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 509 KiB  
Article
Different Patterns of Mental Health Outcomes among Road Traffic Crash Survivors: A Prospective Cohort Study
by Jelena Kovacevic, Ivica Fotez, Ivan Miskulin, Davor Lesic, Maja Miskulin, Terezija Berlancic, Ivan Vukoja, Slavko Candrlic, Hrvoje Palenkic and Marija Candrlic
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1564; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18041564 - 07 Feb 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the symptoms of mental disorders following a road traffic crash (RTC). A prospective cohort of 200 people was followed for 6 months after experiencing an RTC. The cohort was comprised of uninjured survivors and injured [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate factors associated with the symptoms of mental disorders following a road traffic crash (RTC). A prospective cohort of 200 people was followed for 6 months after experiencing an RTC. The cohort was comprised of uninjured survivors and injured victims with all levels of road traffic injury (RTI) severity. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between the symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety one and six months after the RTC, along with sociodemographic factors, health status before and after the RTC, factors related to the RTI and factors related to the RTC. The results showed associations of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with sociodemographic factors, factors related to the health status before and after the RTC and factors related to the RTC. Factors related to the RTI showed associations only with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Identifying factors associated with mental disorders following an RTC is essential for establishing screening of vulnerable individuals at risk of poor mental health outcomes after an RTC. All RTC survivors, regardless of their RTI status, should be screened for factors associated with mental disorders in order to successfully prevent them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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15 pages, 1420 KiB  
Article
Contributing Factors Affecting the Severity of Metro Escalator Injuries in the Guangzhou Metro, China
by Hongwei Li, Yuxi Wang, Yingying Xing, Xiaochen Zhao and Ke Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(2), 651; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18020651 - 14 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
Urban rail transit has become one of the indispensable modes of public transportation in large cities. Escalators are ubiquitous in metro stations, as passengers typically use escalators when entering or leaving a metro station. Thus, escalators have become an accident-prone location. To develop [...] Read more.
Urban rail transit has become one of the indispensable modes of public transportation in large cities. Escalators are ubiquitous in metro stations, as passengers typically use escalators when entering or leaving a metro station. Thus, escalators have become an accident-prone location. To develop suitable prevention strategies, it is necessary to understand the risk factors that affect the severity of escalator accidents. This study analyzed 967 escalator passenger accidents that occurred in the Guangzhou Metro from 2013 to 2015. The Haddon matrix was used to evaluate the interaction of humans, escalators, and environmental factors before, during, and after accidents. Then, the contributing factors associated with the severity levels were determined based on chi-square tests. Passengers aged 66 years and older are more vulnerable to serious injuries (p < 0.001), and previous health conditions are significantly related to the severity of the passenger’s injuries (p = 0.002). The weather conditions (rainy days) are also significantly related to the severity of escalator accident injuries (p = 0.039), and injured people with head injuries are at greater risk of being severely injured (p < 0.001). The analysis results of these risk factors can provide theoretical support for the metro operators to develop reasonable and effective preventive measures to reduce the escalator risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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11 pages, 499 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Traffic Crashes Caused by Motorcyclists Running Red Lights in Guangdong Province of China
by Guangnan Zhang, Ying Tan, Qiaoting Zhong and Ruwei Hu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(2), 553; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18020553 - 11 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2264
Abstract
Motorcycles are among the primary means of transport in China, and the phenomenon of motorcyclists running red lights is becoming increasingly prevalent. Based on the traffic crash data for 2006–2010 in Guangdong Province, China, fixed- and random-parameter logit models are used to study [...] Read more.
Motorcycles are among the primary means of transport in China, and the phenomenon of motorcyclists running red lights is becoming increasingly prevalent. Based on the traffic crash data for 2006–2010 in Guangdong Province, China, fixed- and random-parameter logit models are used to study the characteristics of motorcyclists, vehicles, roads, and environments involved in red light violations and injury severity resulting from motorcyclists’ running red lights in China. Certain factors that affect the probability of motorcyclists running red lights are identified. For instance, while the likelihood of violating red light signals during dark conditions is lower than during light conditions for both car drivers and pedestrians, motorcyclists have significantly increased probability of a red light violation during dark conditions. For the resulting severe casualties in red-light-running crashes, poor visibility is a common risk factor for motorcyclists and car drivers experiencing severe injury. Regarding the relationship between red light violations and the severity of injuries in crashes caused by motorcyclists running red lights, this study indicated that driving direction and time period have inconsistent effects on the probability of red light violations and the severity of injuries. On the one hand, the likelihood of red light violations when a motorcycle rider is turning left/right is higher than when going straight, but this turning factor has a nonsignificant impact on the severity of injuries; on the other hand, reversing, making a U-turn and changing lanes have nonsignificant effects on the probability of motorcyclists’ red light violations in contrast to going straight, but have a very significant impact on the severity of injuries. Moreover, the likelihood of red light violations during the early morning is higher than off-peak hours, but this time factor has a negative impact on the severity of injuries. Measures including road safety educational programs for targeted groups and focused enforcement of traffic policy and regulations are suggested to reduce the number of crashes and the severity of injuries resulting from motorcyclists running red lights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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12 pages, 343 KiB  
Article
Injury Prevention, Safety Education and Violence in Relation to the Risk of Tooth Fracture among Korean Adolescents
by Han-Na Kim, Yong-Bong Kwon, Min-Ji Byon and Jin-Bom Kim
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8556; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17228556 - 18 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1634
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the injury prevention-, safety education-, and violence-related factors pertaining to tooth fracture experience (TFE) in Korean adolescents. We used data from the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS) in 2018. The 60,040 participants were selected using a [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the injury prevention-, safety education-, and violence-related factors pertaining to tooth fracture experience (TFE) in Korean adolescents. We used data from the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS) in 2018. The 60,040 participants were selected using a complex sampling design from middle and high schools. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. The explanatory variables, including school safety education and violence, were assessed in relation to prevention of traumatic injuries. Complex-samples multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explain the factors related to TFE over the past 12 months. The overall prevalence of TFE was 11.4%. Risk factors related to tooth fractures were not wearing a seatbelt on an express bus, not wearing helmets while riding motorcycles and bicycles, clinical treatment due to injuries at school, injuries associated with earphone/smartphones use, and lack of school safety education such as danger evacuation training. The top risk factor was injuries associated with earphone/smartphone usage, followed by lack of familiarity with school safety education. Thus, to prevent tooth fractures among adolescents, schools should strengthen their safety education, including education regarding mobile device usage, and wearing a seatbelt and wearing a helmet. Care should be taken to manage facilities around the school and to prevent injury related to tooth fracture. Further studies on various risk factors related to tooth fractures are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
12 pages, 444 KiB  
Article
Burden and Preparedness amongst Informal Caregivers of Adults with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
by Kirsten Lieshout, Joanne Oates, Anne Baker, Carolyn A. Unsworth, Ian D. Cameron, Julia Schmidt and Natasha A. Lannin
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(17), 6386; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17176386 - 02 Sep 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3429
Abstract
This study examined the patterns of informal (unpaid) caregiving provided to people after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), explore the self-reported burden and preparedness for the caregiving role, and identify factors predictive of caregiver burden and preparedness. A cross-sectional cohort design [...] Read more.
This study examined the patterns of informal (unpaid) caregiving provided to people after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), explore the self-reported burden and preparedness for the caregiving role, and identify factors predictive of caregiver burden and preparedness. A cross-sectional cohort design was used. Informal caregivers completed the Demand and Difficulty subscales of the Caregiving Burden Scale; and the Mutuality, Preparedness, and Global Strain subscales of the Family Care Inventory. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to examine the relationships between caregiver and care recipient variables and preparedness for caregiving. Twenty-nine informal caregivers who reported data on themselves and people with a moderate to severe TBI were recruited (referred to as a dyad). Most caregivers were female (n = 21, 72%), lived with the care recipient (n = 20, 69%), and reported high levels of burden on both scales. While most caregivers (n = 21, 72%) felt “pretty well” or “very well” prepared for caregiving, they were least prepared to get help or information from the health system, and to deal with the stress of caregiving. No significant relationships or predictors for caregiver burden or preparedness were identified. While caregivers reported the provision of care as both highly difficult and demanding, further research is required to better understand the reasons for the variability in caregiver experience, and ultimately how to best prepare caregivers for this long-term role. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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17 pages, 7740 KiB  
Article
Predicting Crash Injury Severity with Machine Learning Algorithm Synergized with Clustering Technique: A Promising Protocol
by Khaled Assi, Syed Masiur Rahman, Umer Mansoor and Nedal Ratrout
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(15), 5497; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17155497 - 30 Jul 2020
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 4694
Abstract
Predicting crash injury severity is a crucial constituent of reducing the consequences of traffic crashes. This study developed machine learning (ML) models to predict crash injury severity using 15 crash-related parameters. Separate ML models for each cluster were obtained using fuzzy c-means, which [...] Read more.
Predicting crash injury severity is a crucial constituent of reducing the consequences of traffic crashes. This study developed machine learning (ML) models to predict crash injury severity using 15 crash-related parameters. Separate ML models for each cluster were obtained using fuzzy c-means, which enhanced the predicting capability. Finally, four ML models were developed: feed-forward neural networks (FNN), support vector machine (SVM), fuzzy C-means clustering based feed-forward neural network (FNN-FCM), and fuzzy c-means based support vector machine (SVM-FCM). Features that were easily identified with little investigation on crash sites were used as an input so that the trauma center can predict the crash severity level based on the initial information provided from the crash site and prepare accordingly for the treatment of the victims. The input parameters mainly include vehicle attributes and road condition attributes. This study used the crash database of Great Britain for the years 2011–2016. A random sample of crashes representing each year was used considering the same share of severe and non-severe crashes. The models were compared based on injury severity prediction accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and harmonic mean of sensitivity and precision (i.e., F1 score). The SVM-FCM model outperformed the other developed models in terms of accuracy and F1 score in predicting the injury severity level of severe and non-severe crashes. This study concluded that the FCM clustering algorithm enhanced the prediction power of FNN and SVM models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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9 pages, 317 KiB  
Article
Association between Sports-Related Concussion and Mouthguard Use among College Sports Players: A Case-Control Study Based on Propensity Score Matching
by Yoshiaki Ono, Yuto Tanaka, Kazuki Sako, Masahiro Tanaka and Junya Fujimoto
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4493; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17124493 - 22 Jun 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3705
Abstract
Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the association between mouthguard use and the incidence of SRC in college students through a case-control study using propensity score matching. In total, 195 of 2185 potential participants volunteered [...] Read more.
Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the association between mouthguard use and the incidence of SRC in college students through a case-control study using propensity score matching. In total, 195 of 2185 potential participants volunteered to participate in this study. We used Google Forms online to capture participants’ information, including: age; gender; height; weight; sports contact level; level of play; exposure time; frequency of mouthguard use; mouthguard type; and SRC experience. Data for 115 participants who played collision and contact sports were used for the analysis. The difference in the frequency of mouthguard use was assessed between matched pairs and the overall association between SRC and mouthguard use was evaluated. In the matched groups, those who had not experienced SRC wore a mouthguard more frequently than those who had experienced SRC (7/28 vs. 1/28; p = 0.051). Logistic regression analysis showed there was a significant negative association between the frequency of mouthguard use and the incidence of SRC (odds ratio 0.101; p = 0.041). Within the limitations of this study, these results suggest that mouthguard use may offer some benefit in preventing SRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
8 pages, 310 KiB  
Article
Eye Injuries Epidemiology Description in a Working Population over 10 Years in Spain
by Sergio Martín-Prieto, Cristina Álvarez-Peregrina, Israel Thuissard-Vassallo, Carlos Catalina-Romero, Eva Calvo-Bonacho, César Villa-Collar and Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Tena
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4454; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17124454 - 21 Jun 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2430
Abstract
Background: Several studies show a high percentage of eye injuries related to work compared to other origins. However, there are few studies that describe work-related eye injuries. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, and longitudinal study that describes the characteristics of work-related eye injuries in [...] Read more.
Background: Several studies show a high percentage of eye injuries related to work compared to other origins. However, there are few studies that describe work-related eye injuries. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, and longitudinal study that describes the characteristics of work-related eye injuries in a group of insured workers. Eye injuries were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and analyzed over 10 years (2008–2018). Results: Keratitis and conjunctivitis were the most prevalent injuries (26,674 (53.1%) and 15,906 (31.6%)). Keratitis and conjunctivitis also show the highest percentage of injury incidence per 100,000 insured workers in both sexes, any age group, and any occupation. The analysis of the cumulative percentage change and average annual percent change in incidences over ten years shows a decrease in the incidences of all injuries, except for other disorders of the eye and anexa. Conclusions: Most of the work-related eye injuries affect the most exposed eye structures in any line of work: the cornea and conjunctiva. Suitable protection of these eye structures will decrease the number of cases of work-related eye injuries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
16 pages, 359 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Determinants of Self-Reported Injuries among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the Philippines: A 10-Year Pooled Analysis
by TJ Robinson Moncatar, Keiko Nakamura, Kathryn Lizbeth Siongco, Mosiur Rahman and Kaoruko Seino
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4372; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17124372 - 18 Jun 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4392
Abstract
Injury among older adults is a serious health concern, but little information is known about it, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of, and examine the socioeconomic, demographic, and health determinants of, self-reported injuries among older Filipinos. Using [...] Read more.
Injury among older adults is a serious health concern, but little information is known about it, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of, and examine the socioeconomic, demographic, and health determinants of, self-reported injuries among older Filipinos. Using a pooled data of 21,316 community-dwelling residents aged 60 years or over from three waves of the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between participants’ characteristics and reports of injuries. The total prevalence of self-reported injuries over a 10-year period was at 1.2%. Older adults with either government or private health insurance were more likely to report experiencing injuries (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–2.11), regardless of socio-demographic and economic status. In contrast, female older adults were found to be associated with a lower likelihood of self-reported injuries, after adjustment for other variables (AOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53–0.88). Older adults who attained secondary education or higher also showed a lower likelihood of self-reported injuries (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31–0.92). The proportion of older adults with injuries in the Philippines is still relatively low. However, preventive approaches with a special focus on gender, educational attainment, and health insurance status of older adults are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
14 pages, 1603 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Nail and False Eyelash Glue: A Case Series Study
by Elena Brambilla, Marta Crevani, Valeria M. Petrolini, Giulia Scaravaggi, Maria Di Primo, Elisa Roda and Carlo A. Locatelli
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4283; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17124283 - 15 Jun 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5516
Abstract
The use of artificial nail tips in professional manicure services and the application of false eyelashes are a growing trend among young women. Often, this “beauty routine” is performed at home without the supervision of an expert beautician, raising health problems due to [...] Read more.
The use of artificial nail tips in professional manicure services and the application of false eyelashes are a growing trend among young women. Often, this “beauty routine” is performed at home without the supervision of an expert beautician, raising health problems due to either the spillage of these products or to accidental exposure to children. The aim of this study is to review the Pavia Poison Control Centre clinical records to identify the frequency, the most common route of exposure, and the possible risks associated to these events to support the decision-making process in emergency departments. The Pavia Poison Control Centre database was retrospectively searched for records reporting nail or false eyelash glue exposure from January 2007 to April 2020, and 42 patients were identified. Among the patients, 76% presented symptoms from mild to severe, while 24% were asymptomatic. The most common route of exposure was dermal, through cutaneous contact, as determined for 19 patients involved. Among these, seven patients presented with second-degree chemical burns, cutaneous erythema, and ocular symptoms. The most dangerous glue component was cyanoacrylate, leading to symptoms in 16 out of 22 patients, while three cases remained asymptomatic. Even if this exposure is relatively rare, nail and false eyelash glue can be seriously harmful, especially when exposure occurs via dermal or ocular routes. In the case of emergency, it is important to treat the patient as fast as possible to limit the damage caused by a burn. Moreover, even though these products are often perceived as harmless, safety precautions should be taken to prevent children from accidental contact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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13 pages, 1409 KiB  
Article
Health-Risk Behaviours and Injuries among Youth and Young Adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Population-Based Survey
by Apichai Wattanapisit, Wichuda Jiraporncharoen, Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish, Surin Jiraniramai, Kanittha Thaikla and Chaisiri Angkurawaranon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(10), 3696; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17103696 - 24 May 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2759
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the prevalence of health-risk behaviours (alcohol use, tobacco smoking and gambling) and the associations between health-risk behaviours and injuries among youth (15–24 years) and young adults (25–39 years). A multi-stage cluster sampling survey was conducted in Chiang Mai, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to identify the prevalence of health-risk behaviours (alcohol use, tobacco smoking and gambling) and the associations between health-risk behaviours and injuries among youth (15–24 years) and young adults (25–39 years). A multi-stage cluster sampling survey was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The associations between health-risk behaviours and injuries were analysed using logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounders. Sample weights were applied in all analyses. Six-hundred-and-thirty participants were included. Fifty-three percent of males and 12.3% of females drank in the past three months. Smoking in the past three months was higher among males (38.5%) than females (0.7%). About a quarter of men and a fifth of the women had gambled in the past year. A total of 6.4% of males and 4.8% of females sought medical attention in the past year due to injuries. Compared to those without any of the three health-risk behaviours, the odds ratio for injuries requiring medical attention was 3.81 (95% CI: 1.33 to 10.90, p = 0.013) for those with two health-risk behaviours and 13.8 (95% CI: 4.24 to 45.10, p < 0.001) for those with all three health-risk behaviours. Injury prevention policies may need to incorporate interventions designed to assess multiple health-risk behaviours. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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10 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
Unsafe Bicycling Behavior in Changsha, China: A Video-Based Observational Study
by Yuyan Gao, David C. Schwebel, Lingling Zhang, Wangxin Xiao and Guoqing Hu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(9), 3256; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17093256 - 07 May 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2717
Abstract
The recent emergence of shared bikes has inspired renewed use of bicycles in urban China. However, incidence rates of unsafe cycling behaviors have not been reported using objective methods. We designed a video-based observational study in Changsha, China to estimate the incidence of [...] Read more.
The recent emergence of shared bikes has inspired renewed use of bicycles in urban China. However, incidence rates of unsafe cycling behaviors have not been reported using objective methods. We designed a video-based observational study in Changsha, China to estimate the incidence of five unsafe bicycling behaviors among both shared and personal bike riders and examine incidence differences across types of riders and cycling areas. A total of 112 h of video recorded 13,407 cyclists riding shared bikes and 2061 riding personal bikes. The incidences of not wearing a helmet, violating traffic lights, riding in the opposite direction of traffic, not holding the handlebar with both hands, and riding in a non-bicycle lane were 99.28%, 19.57%, 13.73%, 2.57%, and 64.06%, respectively. The incidence rate of all five kinds of behaviors differed significantly across four types of riding areas (shopping, university, office, and leisure) and the rates of the first three kinds of behaviors were statistically different between shared and personal bike riders. In situations where bicycle lanes were available, we observed the incidence of riding on the motorway and on the sidewalk to be 44.06% and 19.99%, respectively. We conclude that unsafe cycling behaviors occur with alarming frequency and differ somewhat between riders of shared versus personal bikes. Further research is recommended to interpret the occurrence of risky cycling and the incidence differences across types of riders and cycling areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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21 pages, 2566 KiB  
Article
Analysis Factors That Influence Escalator-Related Injuries in Metro Stations Based on Bayesian Networks: A Case Study in China
by Yingying Xing, Shengdi Chen, Shengxue Zhu and Jian Lu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(2), 481; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17020481 - 11 Jan 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3457
Abstract
Escalator-related injuries have become an important issue in daily metro operation. To reduce the probability and severity of escalator-related injuries, this study conducted a probability and severity analysis of escalator-related injuries by using a Bayesian network to identify the risk factors that affect [...] Read more.
Escalator-related injuries have become an important issue in daily metro operation. To reduce the probability and severity of escalator-related injuries, this study conducted a probability and severity analysis of escalator-related injuries by using a Bayesian network to identify the risk factors that affect the escalator safety in metro stations. The Bayesian network structure was constructed based on expert knowledge and Dempster–Shafer evidence theory, and further modified based on conditional-independence test. Then, 950 escalator-related injuries were used to estimate the posterior probabilities of the Bayesian network with expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm. The results of probability analysis indicate that the most influential factor in four passenger behaviors is failing to stand firm (p = 0.48), followed by carrying out other tasks (p = 0.32), not holding the handrail (p = 0.23), and another passenger’s movement (p = 0.20). Women (p = 0.64) and elderly people (aged 66 years and above, p = 0.48) are more likely to be involved in escalator-related injuries. Riding an escalator with company (p = 0.63) has a relatively high likelihood of resulting in escalator-related injuries. The results from the severity analysis show that head and neck injuries seem to be more serious and are more likely to require an ambulance for treatment. Passengers who suffer from entrapment injury tend to claim for compensation. Severe injuries, as expected, significantly increase the probability of a claim for compensation. These findings could provide valuable references for metro operation corporations to understand the characteristics of escalator-related injuries and develop effective injury prevention measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Injury Epidemiology and Public Health)
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