Risk factors for injuries in Western Asia can be analyzed using an injury causation model similar to the infectious disease model. Some key risk factors for road traffic injuries include modes of travel, poverty, road design, speed, alcohol/drugs, lack of restraints and helmets. Common risk factors for child injuries are poisoning, falls, traffic accidents, and drowning. Data from the UAE shows that zero percent of child vehicle occupants who died were wearing safety restraints and 24% of traffic victims ages 10-14 were driving. Household chemicals, falls at school/playgrounds, and bodies of water on rural properties are also risks for specific types of injuries. Many injuries can be prevented by addressing these predictable and prevent

1. Risk Factors for
Injuries in Western
Asia
Adnan A. Hyder, MD MPH PhD
International Injury Research Unit
Department of International Health
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of
Public Health, USA

2. The Disease Causation
Model
Microorganism
Environment
Vector
Infectious disease model
Host

3. Injury Causation Model
Microorganism
Environment
Vector
Infectious disease model Injury model
Energy
Environment
Host
Vector or
Vehicle
Host

4. Risks for road injuries

5. Road traffic fatalities are predicted to increase by
67% by the year 2020

6. Risks for Road Traffic Injuries…
Exposure:
• Mode of travel
• Poverty
• Road design
Crash:
• Speed
• Alcohol/drugs
• Vulnerability
Injury Severity
• Speed
• Lack of restraints
• Lack of helmets
Outcome
• EMS
• Quality of care
• Timeliness

7. Risks for Child Injuries
Poisoning
Falls
Road
Traffic
Drowning

8. % of those <14y vehicle occupants who died
and were found to have used safety
restraints?
• = Zero (0%)
% of those 10-14y traffic victims who were
driving?
• = 24%
The lack of known safety interventions is a
RISK for injuries!
8
Example of Risk Factors from UAE:
Source: UAE University, 2008

9. Homes & Childhood Poisoning
“Household” chemicals
(poisons) – cleaners,
medicines, kerosene –
within easy reach of
children

10. Schools and Playground Falls
• Millions of
children get
injured during
daily life
• At school, falls
during play and
in play grounds
are common

11. Risks for Road Traffic Injuries

12. Rural Areas & Risks for Drowning
Pond Ditch
Canal
Submerged paddy field

13. 13
Ghantoot Car Crash, March 2008 –
5 killed, 277 injured
Risk factors for injuries are
both predictable and
preventable!

14. Adnan A. Hyder
(ahyder@jhsph.edu)
From:
International Injury Research
Unit, Johns Hopkins Univ.
www.jhsph.edu/dept/IH/IIRU
Thank you!