Neighbourhood variation in hospitalization for unintentional injury among children and teenagers

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by Lisa N. Oliver and Dafna E. Kohen

Abstract
Keywords
Findings
Authors
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?

Abstract

Background

Research suggests that living in more affluent neighbourhoods positively influences children's health. Relationships with injury are less clear.  This study examines variations in rates of unintentional injury hospitalization by neighbourhood income for the population aged 0 to 19 in urban Canada.

Data and methods

Acute-care inpatient hospitalization discharge records from 2001/2002 through 2004/2005 for 0- to 19-year-olds were examined.  Injuries were classified using the International Classification of Diseases.  Census Dissemination Areas were used as neighbourhood proxies; income quintiles were calculated from the 2001 Census.  Age-standardized rates of hospitalization per 10,000 person-years at risk were calculated for each type of injury, by sex, age group and neighbourhood income quintile.

Results 

Children and teenagers in the lowest neighbourhood income quintile generally had a higher rate of unintentional injury hospitalization than did those in the highest.  The pattern was particularly evident among children aged 0 to 9 in lower-income neighbourhoods for injuries due to land transportation, poisoning, fire, drowning/suffocation, being cut or pierced, and the natural environment.

Interpretation

Canadian children in lower-income neighbourhoods generally have higher rates of hospitalization due to unintentional injuries, compared with children in higher-income neighbourhoods. 

Keywords

Child development, hospital records, social class, social conditions, socio-economic status, trauma, wounds and injuries

Findings

Unintentional injury of children and teenagers has been identified as a public health problem in Canada. In 2004, unintentional injuries were responsible for 30,345 hospitalizations of children and youth aged 0 to 19. About one-fifth of all acute-care inpatient hospitalization costs for children in 2003/2004 were attributable to injuries and poisonings. Severe injury and trauma in childhood are associated with disability and poor health-related quality of life in both the short- and long-term. Moreover, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among Canadian children and teenagers, accounting for 664 deaths in 2004.[Full text]

Authors

Lisa N Oliver (1-613-951-4708; lisa.oliver@statcan.gc.ca) and Dafna E Kohen (1-613-951-3346; dafna.kohen@statcan.gc.ca) are with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa , Ontario, K1A 0T6

What is already known on this subject?

  • In urban Canada, children and teenagers in lower-income neighbourhoods have higher rates of mortality due to unintentional injury.

What does this study add?

  • Children and teenagers in lower-income urban neighbourhoods are more likely than those in higher-income neighbourhood to be hospitalized for unintentional injuries.
  • The association between living in a lower-income neighbourhood and injury hospitalization was strongest among children aged 0 to 9.
  • Injury hospitalization rates due to being struck were higher among 10- to 19-year-olds in higher-income neighbourhoods, compared with those in lower-income neighbourhoods.

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