Incidence and Patterns of Unintentional Injuries Among Preschool Children in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of unintentional injuries and to describe the pattern of unintentional injuries among preschool children in Korea. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the records of the National Health Insurance Agency for the year 2006. Data for people with unintentional injuries (ICD code: S00~T98) were collected, and stratified random samples were selected according to age, sex and severity of injury. A questionnaire including the location, mechanism and results of the injuries was developed. The risks, location and mechanism of injuries were analyzed. RESULTS: The CIR of unintentional injuries among preschool children during the 1 year period studied was 25,991 per 100,000, and the CIR of severe injuries was 355. More injuries occurred in males, in rural areas, and in low income (medical aid) families. Most injuries occurred at home or near the home, and did so by slipping, falling and being struck. CONCLUSION: The incidence and characteristics of unintentional injuries among preschool children in Korea are affected by gender, location and income level. Establishing strategies directed towards vulnerable subgroups should contribute to a program designed to effectively prevent childhood injuries.

The Patients' Experiences in the Ambulance Services and the Factors which Influenced their Willingness to Return

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experiences of patients who used ambulance services and analyze the factors which influenced their willingness to use them again. METHODS: The survey was carried out at 17 emergency medical centers for 2 days, and 225 patients and protectors answered the questions. The questionnaire was developed through literature review and consultation with professions. Survey questions addressed the following: dispatchers' degree of careful listening, dispatchers' ability to easily understand location information, advice from dispatchers, waiting time for EMTs (emergency medical technicians), EMTs' degree of careful listening, EMTs' explanations, EMTs' communication of information to hospital staffs and patient comfort in transit. RESULTS: The level of patient experiences was relatively poorer than in England. The major factors which influenced patients' willingness to return were advice from dispatchers, EMTs' communication of information to hospital staffs and patient comfort in transit. Demographic and socio-economic factors had no bearing on willingness to return. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of patients' experiences is a useful method for gauging the quality of ambulance services and is not influenced by patients' demographic and socio-economic factors. Moreover, specifically focused questions about patients' experiences can greatly contribute to improving the quality of ambulance services.