The added value of the registration of home accidents in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the number, the nature and the circumstances of home accidents managed in general practices, and to compare the results with the European Home and Leisure Accidents Surveillance System (EHLASS) data.


METHODS
A prospective population survey of all domestic accidents managed in 138 sentinel general practices during 1995/96.


METHODS
Primary health care.


METHODS
In total, 4481 patients were included, of which 58% were female.


METHODS
The incidence of domestic accidents managed in general practices; the nature and place of the accident; the nature of the injury; the predisposing factors and related products.


RESULTS
The highest incidence of home accidents was measured among children and the elderly. The median age was significantly lower for men (36 years) than for women (54 years). Among women, 74% of all home accidents were the result of a fall. The lesion is often a contusion or wound. Fractures were recorded in 20% of all home accidents. Three-quarters of all fractures involved women, especially older women. Most accidents among women (80%) occurred during motion and housework. Among men, 65% of all home injuries occurred during motion and do-it-yourself jobs.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the close relation with most patients and a knowledge of their living conditions, the GP is able to provide more reliable information on the circumstances of accidents than are health care providers in hospitals. The prevention of home accidents should at least partly be based on the results provided by general practitioners.
Unit of Epidemiology, Scientific Institute Public Health, Brussels, Belgium. dirk.devroey@iph.fgov.be
Dirk
D
Devroey
Viviane
V
Van Casteren
Denise
D
Walckiers
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries