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Arch Dis Child 2008;93:485-489 doi:10.1136/adc.2007.116541
  • Original article

Serious injuries in children: variation by area deprivation and settlement type

  1. P Edwards1,
  2. J Green2,
  3. K Lachowycz2,
  4. C Grundy2,
  5. I Roberts1
  1. 1
    Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, UK
  2. 2
    Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, UK
  1. Dr Phil Edwards, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK; phil.edwards{at}LSHTM.ac.uk
  • Accepted 30 January 2008
  • Published Online First 1 April 2008

Abstract

Objective: To examine the variation in serious injuries in children by the level of deprivation in an area and by types of settlement.

Methods: Hospital admission rates for serious injury to children aged 0–15 years in census lower super output areas in England during the 5-year period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2004 were analysed.

Results: Rates of serious injury in children were higher in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived for pedestrians (rate ratio (RR) 4.1; 95% CI 2.8 to 6.0) and cyclists (RR 3.0; 95% CI 1.9 to 4.7). Rates of serious pedestrian injury were lower in towns and fringe areas (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86) and in village (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.83) areas than in urban areas. The rate of serious injury to cyclists was lower in London than other urban areas (RR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.98). The rate of serious injury to car occupants was higher in village than urban areas (RR 1.51; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.17). Rates of serious injury caused by falls were higher in London (RR 1.60; 95% CI 1.47 to 1.75) and lower in villages (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.88) than in urban areas. Steeper socio-economic gradients in serious injury rates were identified in rural areas for cyclists and for children suffering falls.

Conclusions: Socio-economic inequalities in serious injury exist across the whole of England, particularly for child pedestrians. Rates of serious injury vary by settlement type, and inequalities vary by cause of injury between rural and urban settings.

Footnotes

  • Funding: This work was undertaken by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who received funding from the Department of Health. The views expressed in the publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Health.

  • Competing interests: None declared.

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