Journal article
Planning of a community-based approach to injury control and safety promotion in a rural community
Australian Journal of Rural Health, Vol.9(5), p.2001
2001
Abstract
This paper describes the planning of a community-based approach to injury control and safety promotion, the Kolan Injury Prevention Program. The process involved the establishment of a local steering committee, 11 months of injury surveillance, a critical review of the evidence base, community consultations and assessment of community resources. There were 412 recorded injury cases during the surveillance period, with higher rates among men, manual workers, those aged 15-34 years, sport/leisure activities and around the home and farm. Salient issues for residents included a lack of access to safety information and skills, particularly with regard to first aid and bush fire for isolated residents and rurally inexperienced new residents. While injury prevention was identified as an important issue for the community, the rapidly changing size and nature of the community and its infrastructure made this a particularly challenging issue. Challenges included limited availability of volunteers from key sectors, lack of formal data collection systems, difficulties in mobilising support for a broad issue like injury, limited communication networks and the negative impact of distance and role uncertainty on community ownership of the program. This case study illustrates the steps involved in an effective community-based needs assessment addressing injury prevention. Such an approach, if carried out systematically, will help ensure that the strategies and programs developed will be both appropriate and likely to obtain the support of the local community.
Details
- Title
- Planning of a community-based approach to injury control and safety promotion in a rural community
- Authors
- C Loos (Author) - University of QueenslandB Oldenburg (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyLily O'Hara (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- Australian Journal of Rural Health, Vol.9(5), p.2001
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
- Date published
- 2001
- DOI
- 10.1046/j.1440-1584.2001.00399.x
- ISSN
- 1038-5282; 1038-5282
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449156502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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