Hospitalizations for immersion-related injuries in Alaska 1991-2000

• Objective: This study analyzed factors associated with injuries to hospitalized victims of nonfatal immersion-related events in Alaska from 1991 through 2000. Data: Alaska Trauma Registry (ATR) records of victims of nonfatal immersion events requiring hospitalization were examined to identify factors associated with injury outcomes. Subjects were divided into two groups: the "immersion only" (IO) group had no additional injuries associated with their immersion-related events, while subjects in the "associated injury" (AI) group incurred additional trauma during injury events. Results: There were 176 ATR records of nonfatal immersion events. In 87 (49.5%) cases, hospitalizations were due to the effects of immersion only (IO group). In 89 (50.5%) cases, hospitalizations were due not only to the effects of immersion, but also due to additional injuries occurring immediately before or while immersion took place (AI group). The final logistic regression model revealed statistically significant relationships between age greater than 12 years, female gender, white ethnicity, and operation of water transport vehicles, and increased risk for associated injury outcomes (p < 0.05). Discussion: This study is the first of its kind to analyze factors associated with the most severe nonfatal immersion-related injuries in Alaska, and identifies target populations for future safety campaigns. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nyckelord

Alaska

Immersion injuries

Nonfatal drowning

Risk analysis

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

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