Sociodemographic determinants of facial injuries in Scotland 2001-2006

Goodall, C.A. , Conway, D.I. , McMahon, A.D. , Graham, L., Snedker, S., McCluskey, K. and Devlin, M. (2009) Sociodemographic determinants of facial injuries in Scotland 2001-2006. In: British Society for Dental Research (BSDR) Scientific Meeting, Glasgow, UK, 1-4 Sept 2009,

Abstract

Objectives: Recent media and political attention has focused on youth violence and alcohol-related problems in Scotland. Facial injuries in Scotland are most commonly sustained as a result of interpersonal violence and young men are a high risk group for such injuries. Facial injuries are known to be associated with alcohol consumption but the sociodemographic determinants are not fully known. Our aim was to explore these determinants using information on inpatient admissions for facial injuries in Scotland. <p/>Methods: The Information Services Division of the National Health Service National Services Scotland collects, collates and publishes data on all hospital discharges using the Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR01) scheme for general acute specialties. SMR01 records with a diagnosis of facial injuries were retrieved for the period 2001-2006. These were linked with deprivation scores using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). Annual incidence rates by age, sex, and SIMD were calculated for the period 2001-2006. <p/>Results: Between 2001 and 2006, there were 82,461 patients with a facial injury diagnosis in Scotland at the time of discharge. Over the study period, the overall incidence of facial injuries was 3.27 per 1,000 population; 4.68 per 1,000 for males; 2.00 per 1,000 for females. The incidence of facial injuries in Scotland declined over the study period but still remained high. There was a clear association of facial injuries with deprivation with a significant number of injuries disproportionately affecting young men from socioeconomically deprived areas. <p/>Conclusions: The role of poverty as the major determinant of facial injuries has thus far not been explicitly acknowledged. Behaviour change interventions should therefore be supported by measures designed to improve socioeconomic circumstances and to reduce socioeconomic inequalities.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Conway, Professor David and Goodall, Professor Christine and McMahon, Dr Alex
• Authors: Goodall, C.A., Conway, D.I., McMahon, A.D., Graham, L., Snedker, S., McCluskey, K., and Devlin, M.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School