Preventing violence in New South Wales: data sources and their adequacy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe data sources that are relevant to violence in NSW and recommend strategies for improving data collection and dissemination.


METHODS
Literature review, interviews with stakeholders and a survey of data custodians within NSW Health.


RESULTS
Data sources were mapped using a conceptual framework developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We found that current data sources are only partially effective at characterising the burden of violence in NSW and there are inadequate mechanisms for data review and dissemination.


CONCLUSIONS
Improving data collection and dissemination is the first step in the public health contribution towards reducing the burden of violence on society.
Rutherford
Alison
A
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales. a.rutherford@unsw.edu.au
Zwi
Anthony B
AB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007256:Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D009938:Organizations; D011159:Population Surveillance; D040442:Public Health Informatics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D015980:Public Health Practice; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data