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Journal of Clinical and Experimental... 2015Although handedness as a measure of cerebral specialization has been linked to accident proneness, more direct measures of laterality are rarely considered. The present...
Although handedness as a measure of cerebral specialization has been linked to accident proneness, more direct measures of laterality are rarely considered. The present study aimed to fill that gap in the existing research. In addition, individual difference factors in accident proneness were further examined with the inclusion of mental rotation and navigation abilities measures. One hundred and forty participants were asked to complete the Mental Rotations Test, the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction scale, the Greyscales task, the Fused Dichotic Word Test, the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire, and a grip strength task before answering questions related to number of accidents in five areas. Results indicated that handedness scores, absolute visual laterality score, absolute response time on the auditory laterality index, and navigation ability were significant predictors of the total number of accidents. Results are discussed with respect to cerebral hemispheric specialization and risk-taking attitudes and behavior.
Topics: Accident Proneness; Adult; Female; Functional Laterality; Humans; Individuality; Male; Regression Analysis; Rotation; Sex Characteristics; Spatial Navigation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 25562410
DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2014.985191 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... Dec 2014To investigate the incidence of accident proneness and its influencing factors in rural children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of accident proneness and its influencing factors in rural children.
METHODS
By random cluster sampling, 1 560 children were enrolled from one rural area in Hunan Province, China, and were surveyed with self-designed general and injury questionnaires. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the major risk factors for accident-prone children.
RESULTS
One hundred and forty-seven accident-prone children were screened out and the incidence of accident proneness was 9.42%. Univariate analysis showed that gender (P<0.01), academic record (P<0.01), left-behind status (P<0.05), family type (P<0.05), family economic status (P<0.01), guardian's gender (P<0.05), guardian's marital status (P<0.05), guardian's occupation (P<0.05), and family educational mode (P<0.05) were influencing factors for accident proneness in rural children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further revealed that low grade (OR=3.683, 95%CI: 1.028-4.283) and very low grade (OR=2.099, 95% CI: 1.587-8.546) in academic record, poverty in family economic status (OR=2.353, 95% CI: 1.222-4.533), and indulgence or indifference (OR=1.914, 95% CI: 1.029-3.559) and fickleness (OR=4.153, 95% CI: 1.847-9.338) in guardian's educational mode were risk factors for accident proneness in rural children, while female gender (OR=0.539, 95% CI: 0.369-0.788) was a protective factor.
CONCLUSIONS
Low academic record, poor family economy, and incorrect family education mode (indulgence or indifference and fickleness) would increase the incidence of accident proneness in rural children, but girls have less accident proneness than boys.
Topics: Accident Proneness; Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Rural Population
PubMed: 25523576
DOI: No ID Found -
Methods of Information in Medicine 2015Falls are a prevalent and burdensome problem in the elderly. Tools for the assessment of fall risk are fundamental for fall prevention. Clinical studies for the...
BACKGROUND
Falls are a prevalent and burdensome problem in the elderly. Tools for the assessment of fall risk are fundamental for fall prevention. Clinical studies for the development and evaluation of prognostic tools for falls show high heterogeneity in the settings and in the reported results. Newly developed tools are susceptible to over-optimism.
OBJECTIVES
This study proposes a probabilistic model to address critical issues about fall prediction through the analysis of the properties of an ideal prognostic tool for falls.
METHODS
The model assumes that falls occur within a population according to the Greenwood and Yule scheme for accident-proneness. Parameters for the fall rate distribution are estimated from counts of falls of four different epidemiological studies.
RESULTS
We obtained analytic formulas and quantitative estimates for the predictive and discriminative properties of the ideal prognostic tool. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) ranges between about 0.80 and 0.89 when prediction on any fall is made within a follow-up of one year. Predicting on multiple falls results in higher AUC.
CONCLUSIONS
The discriminative ability of current validated prognostic tools for falls is sensibly lower than what the proposed ideal perfect tool achieves. A sensitivity analysis of the predictive and discriminative properties of the tool with respect to study settings and fall rate distribution identifies major factors that can account for the high heterogeneity of results observed in the literature.
Topics: Accident Proneness; Accidental Falls; Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Models, Statistical; Prognosis; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 25377164
DOI: 10.3414/ME13-01-0127 -
Accident; Analysis and Prevention Dec 2014Permanent individual differences in driver behavior and accident risk have long been under active debate. Cognitive and personality factors have correlated with risky... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Permanent individual differences in driver behavior and accident risk have long been under active debate. Cognitive and personality factors have correlated with risky driving indicators in cross-sectional studies, and prospective cohort studies are now increasingly revealing early antecedents of risky behavior and injury mortality in adult age, with connections to stable personality traits. However, long-term stability in driver behavior or accident involvement has not been documented in a general driver population.This study reports 24-year follow-up data from a study that compared the recorded offenses between 134 drivers stopped by the police because of sustained risky driving and 121 control drivers stopped at the same locations at the same time in 1987 (Rajalin, 1994. Accid. Anal. Prev., 26, 555-562). Data were compiled from national driver records and accident statistics for the same drivers again 24 years later, and their yearly mileage and speed behavior was requested in a mail survey. The results showed that the two groups of drivers sampled on one trip a quarter of a century ago still differ from each other. The offenders still have more entries in their driver record, also when adjusted for age and mileage (OR=1.59, CI=1.03-2.46), they still report in the survey that they drive faster and overtake other cars more often. The results show that individual differences in driver behavior persist for decades, perhaps for life. However, in this on-road sample, the effect seems to be moderated by occupation which also presumably explains the lower mortality among the offenders during this 24-year follow-up.
Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Automobile Driving; Cohort Studies; Criminals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Finland; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personality; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Survival Rate; Wounds and Injuries; Young Adult
PubMed: 25171522
DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2014.08.008 -
Journal of Attention Disorders Jun 2016This study aims to ascertain once and for all whether children and adolescents affected by ADHD show a higher risk for accidents, as well as investigating a possible...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to ascertain once and for all whether children and adolescents affected by ADHD show a higher risk for accidents, as well as investigating a possible association between the administration of ADHD-specific medication and the occurrence of accidents.
METHOD
Two exceptionally large sets of data were implemented in this analysis. Participants included children and adolescents representative of the entire German population. Data for Survey 1 was collected through extensive administration of questionnaires. Data for Survey 2 stemmed from the records of a leading German health insurance company. In terms of statistical analysis, chi-square tests as well as logistic regression analyses were applied and odds ratios (ORs) were determined.
RESULTS
Innovative results are presented showing a significantly higher likelihood for ADHD-affected youngsters to be involved in accidents compared with their nonaffected counterparts (Survey 1: OR = 1.60; Survey 2: OR = 1.89) but lacking an overall significant influence of medication regarding the occurrence of accidents (Survey 1: OR = 1.28; Survey 2: OR = 0.97). Frequency of accidents could be predicted by ADHD, gender, and age in both samples. Medication intake served as a weak predictor only in Survey 2.
CONCLUSION
It has been determined in two representative and independent German samples that youngsters with ADHD are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in accidents. In the future, this should always be considered when setting up a treatment plan to ensure a safer and healthier coming of age without relying solely on specific effects of medication. (J. of Att. Dis. 2016; 20(6) 501-509).
Topics: Accident Proneness; Accidents; Adolescent; Age Distribution; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Germany; Humans; Male; Sex Distribution
PubMed: 24470540
DOI: 10.1177/1087054713518237 -
African Journal of Paediatric Surgery :... 2013Paediatric head injury (HI) is the single most common cause of death and permanent disability in children world over, and this is increasingly becoming worrisome in our...
BACKGROUND
Paediatric head injury (HI) is the single most common cause of death and permanent disability in children world over, and this is increasingly becoming worrisome in our society because of increased risks and proneness to road traffic accidents on our highways and streets. The study set to determine causes and management of HI among children in our society.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A retrospective review of all children aged 0-15 years with traumatic head injury (THIs) who were managed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between July, 2006 and August, 2008.
RESULTS
A total of 45 children with THIs presented to the casualty unit of the hospital; 30 (66.7%) were boys and 15 (33.3%) were girls. Three (6.7%) children were less than 1 year of age, 21 (46.7%) were between 1 years and 6 years while 16 (35.6%) and 5 (11.0%) were aged 7-11 years and 12-15 years respectively. Thirty six (80.0%) of the children were pedestrians, 6 (13.4%) fell from a height, while 2 (4.4%) and 1 (2.2% were as a result of home accident and assault, respectively. Twenty one patients (46.7%) had mild HI, while 53.3% had moderate to severe category. Forty one (91.1%) of children were managed as in-patients, mostly (95.1%) by conservative non-operative management, while 4 (8.9%) were treated on the out-patient basis. The mortality rate was 17.8%.
CONCLUSION
H1 among children is of a great concern, because of its incremental magnitude, due to increasing child labour and interstate religious discipleship among children, with attendant high mortality and permanent disabilities. Necessary laws and legislations should be formulated and implemented with organized campaigns and public enlightenment to prevent and mitigate this menace.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Accidents, Traffic; Adolescent; Cause of Death; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniocerebral Trauma; Disease Management; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nigeria; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 24469487
DOI: 10.4103/0189-6725.125448 -
The American Journal of Psychiatry Apr 2014Studies investigating the relationship between head injury and subsequent psychiatric disorders often suffer from methodological weaknesses and show conflicting results....
OBJECTIVE
Studies investigating the relationship between head injury and subsequent psychiatric disorders often suffer from methodological weaknesses and show conflicting results. The authors investigated the incidence of severe psychiatric disorders following hospital contact for head injury.
METHOD
The authors used linkable Danish nationwide population-based registers to investigate the incidence of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, and organic mental disorders in 113,906 persons who had suffered head injuries. Data were analyzed by survival analysis and adjusted for gender, age, calendar year, presence of a psychiatric family history, epilepsy, infections, autoimmune diseases, and fractures not involving the skull or spine.
RESULTS
Head injury was associated with a higher risk of schizophrenia (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=1.65, 95% CI=1.55-1.75), depression (IRR=1.59 95% CI=1.53-1.65), bipolar disorder (IRR=1.28, 95% CI=1.10-1.48), and organic mental disorders (IRR=4.39, 95% CI=3.86-4.99). This effect was larger than that of fractures not involving the skull or spine for schizophrenia, depression, and organic mental disorders, which suggests that the results were not merely due to accident proneness. Head injury between ages 11 and 15 years was the strongest predictor for subsequent development of schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The added risk of mental illness following head injury did not differ between individuals with and without a psychiatric family history.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest study to date investigating head injury and subsequent mental illness. The authors demonstrated an increase in risk for all psychiatric outcomes after head injury. The effect did not seem to be solely due to accident proneness, and the added risk was not more pronounced in persons with a psychiatric family history.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Bipolar Disorder; Child; Craniocerebral Trauma; Denmark; Depressive Disorder; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Neurocognitive Disorders; Registries; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; Young Adult
PubMed: 24322397
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13020190 -
La Medicina Del Lavoro 2013Sleep disorders and related diseases are becoming increasingly relevant for the health and wellbeing of the general and working populations. Sleep disorders affect all...
Sleep disorders and related diseases are becoming increasingly relevant for the health and wellbeing of the general and working populations. Sleep disorders affect all aspects of health, showing a bi-directionality with health conditions and comorbidity with several diseases. Consequently, sleep disorders may have severe negative consequences both for the individual and the enterprise, as well as for society on the whole, in terms of health, productivity and social costs. When considering the disturbances of the sleep/wake cycle, it is important to distinguish between those connected with endogenous biological factors from those related to socio-environmental conditions, including work, and those associated with mental and physical diseases, that are often associated and interact with each other. Many sleep disorders are still underestimated and under-valued in clinical practice and, to a much greater extent, in workers' health surveillance. The present paper is aimed at drawing the attention of the occupational health physician to some key issues, particularly regarding excessive daytime sleepiness, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and shift and night work, as well as their implications in terms of health and occupational consequences. Information on the main aspects of clinical diagnosis and health surveillance, as well as risk management and prevention at the workplace, are provided.
Topics: Accident Prevention; Accident Proneness; Adult; Circadian Rhythm; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence; Europe; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Italy; Occupational Health; Population Surveillance; Risk; Risk Management; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Sleep Deprivation; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm; Sleep Wake Disorders; United States; Workload
PubMed: 24228304
DOI: No ID Found -
Occupational Health & Safety (Waco,... Jul 2013
Topics: Accident Proneness; Humans; Occupational Health; Occupational Injuries; Personnel Selection; Safety Management
PubMed: 23951843
DOI: No ID Found -
Ergonomics 2013The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) is used in ergonomics research to measure behavioural problems associated with attentiveness and memory in everyday life. CFQ...
UNLABELLED
The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) is used in ergonomics research to measure behavioural problems associated with attentiveness and memory in everyday life. CFQ scores have been related to constructs such as accident proneness and outcomes such as human error and psychological strain. The two-year test-retest reliability of the CFQ is reported together with the findings of factor analyses of CFQ data from 535 respondents. Evidence for the predictive and criterion validity and internal reliability of the CFQ is provided. Psychological strain was measured concurrently with CFQ on both testing occasions, two years apart. The test-retest reliability of the summated CFQ score was found to be 0.71, while for the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) strain measure it was 0.32.The relative variance stability was five times greater for the CFQ than the GHQ, indicating that scores on these questionnaires are not covariates. The use of the CFQ as a measure of cognitive control capacity is also discussed.
PRACTITIONER SUMMARY
Ergonomists have long been interested in human error and the role of high work demands due to poor equipment design and excessive workload. The CFQ measures attentiveness in daily life and is shown to have excellent psychometric properties that make it suitable for use in both laboratory and field studies as a trait measure of attentiveness in daily life.
Topics: Adult; Arousal; Female; Humans; Male; Memory; Middle Aged; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires; Task Performance and Analysis
PubMed: 23879800
DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2013.821172