title: Comparison of injuries experienced by international tourists visiting Australia and Australian residents.
abstract: This article compares the epidemiological profile of injury-related hospitalized morbidity of international tourists in New South Wales (NSW) with the hospitalized injury profile of NSW residents. Injury-related hospitalizations were identified from the NSW Admitted Patients Data Collection during 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2009. Injuries were identified using a principal diagnosis code of injury (ie, ICD-10-AM range S00-T98) and the presence of an external cause code (ie, ICD-10-AM range V00-Y98). Overseas tourists were more likely to be hospitalized for an injury following air and water transport, near-drowning, and pedestrian-related injuries. Sport or leisure-related activities were the most common activity conducted at the time of the incident. International tourists are at a higher risk of experiencing injuries particularly following recreational pursuits, while as a pedestrian, in vehicle crashes for older age groups, as a result of interpersonal violence for young males, and following a poisoning or cut/pierce injury for young females. Prevention measures should be undertaken to limit the incidence of injury among international tourists, particularly during active recreational activities and while using the roadways.
authors: University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia r.mitchell@unsw.edu.au.
authors: Rebecca J
authors: RJ
authors: Mitchell
authors: University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Williamson
authors: University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Amy Z Q
authors: AZ
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D038622:Internationality; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult