For Safety's Sake: An initiative towards community collaboration for injury prevention (November 2003)
Group or Institution
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)
Author(s)
K Akehurst, R Clark, L Dainty, M Drivehall, A Lockwood, T Metz, B Morgan, R Naicker, J Scott, J McSorley, S Stacey, L Walker, C Sullivan (Tutor: Dr V Fairnie)
Abstract
The aim of the project was to identify groups and organisations involved in injury prevention in Hamilton City. This information was to be used to compile a database for use by the IPACS group.
The project was undertaken be a group of thirteen second year nursing students from the Waikato Institute of Technology with the assistance of their Tutor, Dr Virginia Fairnie as a requirement of their Community Health Systems paper. The group worked in partnership with Judy Barnett, a member of IPACS.
Information from groups and organisations was gained through questionnaires mailed to key informants. Key informants were identified through the telephone book, Internet, Citizens Advice Bureau and from IPACS.
Literature reviewed included injury and injury prevention. Injuries have traditionally been regarded as random, unavoidable ‘accidents’ whereas now with increased understanding of how injuries are sustained has led to a shift in perception - injuries can be viewed as preventable events.
Findings from the project highlighted the importance for having a “Hamilton City Safe Community” to reduce injury. Waikato is ranked eighth within the 21 regions throughout New Zealand for non-fatal injuries.
The most common areas involved in injury prevention from respondents included: road safety, falls, sport and water activities, violence prevention and suicide.
A limiting factor of this project was the timeframe of 15 weeks. The return rate of competed questions was slow with 20 of the 100 returned.
Recommendations formulated to assist to assist IPACS to continue their work in injury prevention included, a website for updating a directory be explored, that the data base include individuals involved in injury prevention and IPACS continues to provide questionnaires to those involved in this work.
Group/s Associated with the Research:
Injury Prevention and Community Safety (IPACS)
A full copy of the report is available from:
Research Connections
W-Block cnr Nisbet & Tristram Streets or
cnr Tristram & Ward Streets
Private Bag 3036
Hamilton 2020
Telephone 07 834 8841
Fax 07 834 8884
e.mail: research@wintec.ac.nz