首页 | 本学科首页   官方微博 | 高级检索  
     


PS15
PAEDIATRIC GUN SHOT INJURIES IN NEW ZEALAND: A DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF AN AVOIDABLE CAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT CHILDHOOD MORBIDITY
Authors:A. M. Skinner  J. Hamill  U. Samarakkody  E. Kim  B. Bowkett  S. Beasley
Abstract:
Purpose New Zealand has a reputation for an outdoors lifestyle that includes hunting and tramping. New Zealanders own over a million guns and these are widely distributed throughout the rural and urban communities. Although its gun laws are not liberal, children still suffer gun shot injuries. The aim of this study was to examine the injuries children receive from firearms in New Zealand, their circumstances and long term morbidity. Methodology A retrospective review of all children admitted to the four New Zealand paediatric surgical hospitals (at Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch) with gun shot injuries over 10 yr period 1996–2005 was undertaken. Data were compared with published literature from elsewhere. Results Overall, the incidence of gunshot injuries in New Zealand is low compared with many other developed countries. The majority are caused by air rifles. Most are superficial but some may lead to long term morbidity. Conclusions Although New Zealand gun laws require air rifle owners to be over 18 yrs of age, children often are victims of air rifle misuse, particularly in urban areas. Mortality is rare, but some children suffer long term morbidity. Our data may enable preventative measures to be better focused.
Keywords:
设为首页 | 免责声明 | 关于勤云 | 加入收藏

Copyright©北京勤云科技发展有限公司  京ICP备09084417号