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Taking the long view: A systematic review reporting long-term perspectives on child unintentional injury

Towner, Elizabeth M L; Mytton, Julie; Powell, Jane; Pilkington, Paul; Gray, Selena

Authors

Elizabeth M L Towner

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Jane Powell Jane.Powell@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Public Health Economics



Abstract

Objective The relative significance of child injury as a cause of preventable death has increased as mortality from infectious diseases has declined. Unintentional child injuries are now a major cause of death and disability across the world with the greatest burden falling on those who are most disadvantaged. A review of longterm data on child injury mortality was conducted to explore trends and inequalities and consider how data were used to inform policy, practice and research. Methods The authors systematically collated and quality appraised data from publications and documents reporting unintentional child injury mortality over periods of 20 years or more. A critical narrative synthesis explored trends by country income group, injury type, age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic group. Findings 31 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified of which 30 were included in the synthesis. Only six were from middle income countries and none were from low income countries. An overall trend in falling child injury mortality masked rising road traffic injury deaths, evidence of increasing vulnerability of adolescents and widening disparities within countries when analysed by ethnic group and socioeconomic status. Conclusions Child injury mortality trend data from high and middle income countries has illustrated inequalities within generally falling trends. There is scope for greater use of existing trend data to inform policy and practice. Similar evidence from low income countries where the burden of injury is greatest is needed.

Citation

Towner, E. M. L., Mytton, J., Powell, J., Pilkington, P., & Gray, S. (2012). Taking the long view: A systematic review reporting long-term perspectives on child unintentional injury. Injury Prevention, 18(5), 334-342. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040343

Journal Article Type Review
Publication Date Oct 1, 2012
Deposit Date Feb 4, 2013
Journal Injury Prevention
Print ISSN 1353-8047
Electronic ISSN 1475-5785
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 18
Issue 5
Pages 334-342
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040343
Keywords systematic review, child injury mortality, longterm perspectives
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/944774
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040343