Non-fatal injuries to young Victorians, 1986-1991.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiology of non-fatal injuries sustained by young Victorians requiring hospitalisation, and to provide baseline data to establish and evaluate injury prevention programs.

DATA SOURCE

The Victorian Inpatient Minimum Database, as modified for use by Monash University Accident Research Centre.

DESIGN

A five-year (July 1986 to June 1991) retrospective epidemiological study of 56,209 15-24-year-olds admitted to Victorian public hospitals because of injury.

RESULTS

The annual Victorian hospital admission rate of 15-24-year-olds with injuries was 1609 per 100,000. The major causes of admission were, in order of frequency, transport injuries, falls (excluding falls in sport), sports injuries, assault, and self-inflicted injuries. The cost to the Victorian community in hospital expenditure is at least $31.5M per year. Of these injuries, 73.9% were unintentional; however, intentional self-inflicted and assault injury rates were higher for both adolescents (15-19 years) and young adults (20-24 years) compared with other age groups.

CONCLUSION

High rates of injury for young people have been found, imposing a considerable burden on the community. As many injuries are preventable, the risk factors warrant further investigation. In particular, control measures could help reduce sports, transport-related and intentionally inflicted injuries.