title: Epidemiology of fatal and hospitalised injuries among youth in Fiji (TRIP 15).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the burden and characteristics of fatal and hospitalised injuries among youth in Fiji.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals database - a prospective population-based trauma registry - to examine the incidence and epidemiological characteristics associated with injury-related deaths and hospital admissions among youth aged 15-24 years. The study base was Viti Levu, Fiji, during the 12-month period concluding on 30 September 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One in four injuries in the Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals database occurred among youth (n = 515, incidence rate 400/100 000). Injury rates were higher among men, those aged 20-24 years compared with 15- to 19-year-olds, and indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) compared with Indians. The leading causes among indigenous Fijians were being hit by a person/object (men) and falls (women), whereas for Indians, it was road traffic injuries (men) and intentional poisoning (women). Most injuries occurred at home (39%) or on the road (22%). Of the 63 fatal events, 57% were intentional injuries, and most deaths (73%) occurred prior to hospitalisation. Homicide rates were four times higher among indigenous Fijians than Indians, whereas suicide rates were five times higher among Indians compared with indigenous Fijians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Important ethnic-specific differences in the epidemiology of fatal and serious non-fatal injuries are apparent among youth in Fiji. Efforts to prevent the avoidable burden of injury among Fiji youth thus requires inter-sectoral cooperation that takes account of important sociocultural, environmental and health system factors such as unmet mental healthcare needs and effective pre-hospital trauma services.
authors: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Josephine
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0856-7381
authors: J
authors: Herman
authors: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Roshini
authors: R
authors: Peiris-John
authors: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: Wainiqolo
authors: College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
authors: Berlin
authors: B
authors: Kafoa
authors: College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Laginikoro
authors: College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
authors: Eddie
authors: E
authors: McCaig
authors: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Shanthi
authors: S
authors: Ameratunga
keywords: Pacific Island; accident; adolescent; developing country; wound and injury