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Article
Injury Analyses in Rural Children: Comparison of Old-Order Anabaptists and Non-Anabaptists
Journal of Trauma
  • Karen Forward, The University of Western Ontario
  • Melissa Chan
  • Tanya Charyk-Stewart, The University of Western Ontario
  • Jason Gilliland, The University of Western Ontario
  • Craig Campbell, The University of Western Ontario
  • Douglas D. Fraser, The University of Western Ontario
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2010
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e3181fa7e25
Disciplines
Abstract

Background: Southwestern Ontario largely comprises rural farming districts and is home to numerous Old-Order Anabaptist settlements. Our objective was to describe the injuries sustained by rural children, both Old-Order Anabaptist and non-Anabaptist, to better target injury prevention programs.

Methods: We retrospectively examined injury data of rural children in Southwestern Ontario with injury severity scores ≥12 obtained from hospital and trauma databases (1997–2007).

Results: A total of 422 rural children were included in this study: 7.8% Anabaptist (n = 33) and 92.2% non-Anabaptist (n = 389). The age of injured Anabaptist children (median, 7 years; interquartile range = 10) was younger than non-Anabaptist children (median, 14 years; interquartile range = 7; p < 0.001). Anabaptist children were most frequently injured on their property (48.5%; n = 16 of 33; p < 0.001). Non-Anabaptist children were mostly injured on roads (56.8%; n = 221 of 389; p < 0.05) and by motor vehicle collisions (MVCs; 40.1%; n = 156 of 389; p = 0.02). Frequent causes of injury among Anabaptist children were falls (24.2%; n = 8 of 33; p = 0.02), animals (15.2%; n = 5 of 33; p = 0.004), and buggies (9.1%; n = 3 of 33). Approximately half of both groups injured in MVCs did not use seat belts. There were no significant differences between cohorts in sex, injury severity scores, hospitalization days, rates of complications, interventions, comorbidities, or mortality rates.

Conclusions: Injuries to Anabaptist children occur at a young age, primarily on their property, and exhibit a unique spectrum of mechanisms. In contrast, injuries to non-Anabaptist children occur at an older age, primarily on roads, and in MVCs. The use of protective devices was low among all rural children. Development of collaborative injury prevention programs targeted to distinct rural communities, including Anabaptist and non-Anabaptist, are needed for reducing injuries among rural children.

Citation Information
Karen Forward, Melissa Chan, Tanya Charyk-Stewart, Jason Gilliland, et al.. "Injury Analyses in Rural Children: Comparison of Old-Order Anabaptists and Non-Anabaptists" Journal of Trauma Vol. 69 Iss. 5 (2010) p. 1294 - 1299
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jason-gilliland/89/