Receptiveness and Responsiveness Toward Using Social Media for Safe Firearm Storage Outreach: Mixed Methods Study

Promoting Firearm Injury Prevention and Advocacy as Pediatric Surgeons: A Call to Action From the APSA/AAP Advocacy Committee

Firearm injuries have become the leading cause of death among American children. Here we review the scope of the problem, and the pivotal role pediatric surgeons have in preventing pediatric firearm injury. Specific methods for screening and counseling are reviewed, as well as how to overcome barriers. Community and hospital resources as well as organizational efforts are discussed. Finally, a path for surgeon advocacy is outlined as is a call to action for the pediatric surgeon, as we are uniquely poised to identify pediatric patients and deliver timely interventions to reduce the impact of firearm violence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Characterization and prevention of flame burns caused by electric bicycle battery chargers: results from a 7-year experience

OBJECTIVE

With the recent exponential increase in express deliveries across China, the number of patients with flame burns caused by electric bicycle battery chargers (BEBBC) has markedly increased in burn units. In this study, we aimed to characterize BEBBC to systematically explore measures to prevent their occurrence.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with flame burns who visited the Burn Department of Rui Jin Hospital between January 2015 and December 2021.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients with BEBBC and 1412 with types of other flame burn were included in this study. Fifty-six of the 63 BEBBC cases occurred between 9 pm and 7 am. BEBBC incidents involved a higher incidence of group burn in which multiple individuals were affected. Non-local patients with BEBBC were significantly younger than their local counterparts. BEBBC had a higher mortality than types of other flame burn.

CONCLUSIONS

The rising incidence of BEBBC calls for greater attention because of the associated high mortality and heavy burden on society. Enacting related legislation, disseminating information to the public, and improving treatment to control infection can help prevent BEBBC, increase its cure rate, and reduce patient mortality.

Firearm Possession Rates in Home Countries and Firearm Suicide Rates Among US- and Foreign-Born Suicide Decedents in the United States: Analysis of Combined Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and the Small Arms Survey

BACKGROUND

Suicide by firearms is a serious public health issue in the United States. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between cultural backgrounds and suicide by firearms, specifically in those born and raised in the United States compared to those who have immigrated to the United States.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the relationship between cultural backgrounds and suicide, this study aimed to examine firearm suicide rates among US- and foreign-born suicide decedents based on the firearm possession rate in the decedent's home country.

METHODS

Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze data of 28,895 suicide decedents from 37 states obtained from the 2017 National Violent Death Reporting System data set. The firearm possession rate in the home countries of foreign-born suicide decedents was obtained from the 2017 Small Arms Survey.

RESULTS

The firearm suicide rate was about twice as high among US-born suicide decedents compared to their foreign-born counterparts. Meanwhile, suicide by hanging was about 75% higher among foreign-born compared to US-born suicide decedents. Those from countries with a low-to-medium firearm possession rate were significantly less likely to use firearms compared to US-born suicide decedents (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.65, and AOR=0.46, 95% CI 0.39-0.53, respectively). Meanwhile, firearm suicide rates were not different between US- and foreign-born suicide decedents from countries with a similarly high firearm possession rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that there is an association between using firearms as a means of suicide and the firearm possession rate in the decedent's home country. Suicide by firearms in the United States needs to be understood in the sociocultural context related to firearm possession.