Injuries in homes with certain built forms.
BACKGROUND
Rates of injuries may occur more frequently in different types of homes.


METHODS
Retrospective population-based cohort study utilizing three linked databases: a population register, an architectural assessment of homes in the area, and an emergency department-based injury surveillance system.


RESULTS
Over 58,000 homes were classified into 94 different types according to age, size, and built form. Among the 112,248 inhabitants, there were 18,044 emergency department attendances for treatment of an injury suffered in the home. Adjusted odds ratio of injuries for residents of purpose-built apartments was substantially elevated for all injuries (2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.87-2.30) and poisoning episodes (5.6; 95% CI=3.8-8.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Residents of apartment buildings have substantially higher injury rates. Additional research is required to investigate the contribution of environmental hazards and behavioral factors underlying these high rates.
Lyons
Ronan A
RA
School of Medicine, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, Wales. r.a.lyons@swansea.ac.uk
Newcombe
Robert G
RG
Jones
Sarah J
SJ
Patterson
Joanne
J
Palmer
Stephen R
SR
Jones
Philip
P
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology