Evaluation of inter-organizational traffic injury prevention in a WHO safecommunity

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of a community-based i njury prevention program on traffic injuries. A population-based quasi-expe rimental design was used with pre- and post-implementation measurements in an intervention and a control area. The program was based on inter-organiza tional participation in detecting and taking action against traffic injurie s. The total relative risk for traffic injury in the study area showed only a tendency to decrease following program exposure (odds ratio 0.91; 95% co nfidence interval 0.81-1.02). No change in relative risk was observed in th e control area. The analyses of program impact on injury severity showed th at the relative risk for moderate injuries in the study area was reduced by almost half (odds ratio 0.59; 95% confidence interval 0.49-0.69), the risk for severe or fatal injuries remained constant (odds ratio 1.27; 95% confi dence interval 0.80-2.02), and the risk for minor injuries increased (odds ratio 1.34. 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.59). The relative risk for moder ate injuries was reduced by at least half for mopedists, cyclists, pedestri ans, and those leaving or entering a motor vehicle. Community-based injury prevention can be a complement to national traffic safety programs. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.