Recent trends in mortality from unintentional injury in the United States

Maternal rules, compliance, and injuries to preschool children

This study examined the relationships among maternal rules, child compliance, and the injury experience of preschool children. To do so, 278 mothers of 3-year-old children were interviewed, mothers and children were videotaped, and medical records were reviewed. Results indicated that mothers' observed rule enforcement and children's committed compliance were inversely related to injury experience. The authors concluded that it is not the number or self-reported insistence on rules that are associated with injuries. Rather, it is only the mother's follow-through even in situations in which there was no perceived risk of injury that has an impact. Rules must be enforced and compliance encouraged in a manner that supports the development of autonomously motivated behavior.

Injurious falls among middle aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, receiving medical attention for a recent injurious fall among middle-aged and older adults who have multiple sclerosis (MS).

DESIGN

Survey.

SETTING

United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Seven hundred people with MS, age 55 years or older and living in the United States, were randomly selected from the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis Registry and invited by mail to participate in the study. A total of 354 people, aged 55 to 94 years, completed the survey.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participant's self-report regarding receipt of medical care for a fall-related injury (received care within the past 6mo, >6mo ago, or never).

RESULTS

More than 50% of study participants reported injurious falls; 12%, in the 6 months before the interview. Proportional odds models were used to identify factors associated with increased odds of receiving medical attention for a fall-related injury within the past 6 months. Compared with study participants who reported receiving medical attention for a fall-related injury more than 6 months ago or never, participants who reported receiving medical attention for a fall-related injury within the past 6 months were more likely to report fear of falling (odds ratio [OR]=1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-2.96) and osteoporosis (OR=1.65; 95% CI, 1.03-2.62).

CONCLUSIONS

Injurious falls were commonly reported by survey participants. Findings suggest that management of fear of falling and osteoporosis are important components of comprehensive fall-injury prevention programs for people aging with MS.