• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Injuries are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the childhood population worldwide. Thus, this study was down to investigate the type and the severity of injuries according to the age group in childhood. Methods: A survey of injury information and a chart review were done on 378 children (257 boys, 121 girls) who visited the Emergency Departments of Asan Medical Center from March 1, 2009, to March 31, 2009. To determine differences in injury mechanism, accident place, injury site, New Injury Severity Score (NISS) and Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS), we divided the 378 patients into 4 group: under 1 year, 1 to 4 years, 5 to 9 years, and 10 to 15 years. Results: The mean (${\pm}SD$) age of the study group was 5.1 (${\pm}4.4$) years. Two year olds formed the largest group of injured children, with 77 cases (20.4% of the total). The most common cause of injury in childhood was being hit by an object (26.2%). Falls were frequent in the under-1-year group (22.2%) and slip downs (30.1%) were more frequent in 1-to-4-year group. More than half (53.4%) of the injuries occurred in the home, and the most common places of home-related injuries were the living room (41.1%) and the bedroom (31.2%). The mean (${\pm}SD$) NISS was 1.5 (${\pm}1.8$), and traffic accidents had the highest NISS ($2.8{\pm}5.1$). Injuries occurred most frequently during the evening. The peak period was 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (33.7%). Conclusion: Patterns of childhood injury by age group were considerably different, and less severe and nonhospitalized injuries were common. Thus, need to improve surveillance of a variety of injuries, promote intersectional collaboration, build institutional capacities and mobilize community support and policy as an investment in prevention.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2017

Traffic accidents are caused by a combination of human factors, vehicle factors, and environmental factors. In the case of traffic accidents where rental cars are involved, the possibility and the severity of traffic accidents are expected to be different from those of other traffic accidents due to the unfamiliar environment of the driver. In this study, we developed a model to forecast the severity of rental car accidents by using Naive Bayes classifier for Busan, Gangneung, and Jeju city. In addition, we compared the prediction accuracy performance of two models where one model uses the variables of which statistical significance were verified in a prior study and another model uses the entire available variables. As a result of the comparison, it is shown that the prediction accuracy is higher when using the variables with statistical significance.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.329-336
• /
• 2023

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with trauma by age group in a single center in Korea to identify the clinical characteristics and analyze the risk factors affecting mortality. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years who visited the Chungbuk National University Hospital Regional Trauma Center between January 2016 and December 2022 were included. The accident mechanism, severity of the injury, and outcomes were compared by classifying the patients into group A (18-64 years), group B (65-79 years), and group C (≥80 years). In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting death. Results: The most common injury mechanism was traffic accidents in group A (40.9%) and slipping in group B (37.0%) and group C (56.2%). Although group A had the highest intensive care unit admission rate (38.0%), group C had the highest mortality rate (9.5%). In the regression analysis, 3 to 8 points on the Glasgow Coma Scale had the highest odds ratio for mortality, and red blood cell transfusion within 24 hours, intensive care unit admission, age, and Injury Severity Score were the predictors of death. Conclusions: For patients with trauma, the mechanism, injured body region, and severity of injury differed among the age groups. The high mortality rate of elderly patients suggests the need for different treatment approaches for trauma patients according to age. Identifying factors affecting clinical patterns and mortality according to age groups can help improve the prognosis of trauma patients in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.132-146
• /
• 2017

Appropriate speed limits at a reasonable level in urban roads are highly important factors for efficient and safe movement. Thus, it is greatly necessary to develop the objective models or methodology based on engineering study considering factors such as traffic accident rates, roadside development levels, and roadway geometry characteristics etc. The purpose of this study is to develop the estimate model of appropriate speed limits at each road sections in urban roads using traffic information big data and field specific data and to review the effects of accident decrease. In this study, the estimate method of appropriate speed limits in directional two or more lanes of urban roads is reflecting features of actual variables in a form of adjustment factor on the basis of the maximum statutory speed limits. As a result of investigating and testing influential variables, the main variables to affect the operating speed are the function of road, the existence of median, the width of lane, the number of traffic entrance/exit path and the number of traffic signal or nonsignal at intersection and crosswalk. As a result of testing this model, when the differences are bigger between the real operating speed and the recommended speed limits using model developed in this study, the accident rate generally turns out to be higher. In case of using the model proposed in this study, it means accident rate can be lower. When the result of this study is applied, the speed limits of directional two or more lane roads in Seoul appears about 11km/h lower than the current speed limits. The decrease of average operating speed caused by the decrease of speed limits is 2.8km/h, and the decrease effect of whole accidents according to the decrease of speed is 18% at research road. In case that accident severity is considered, the accident decrease effects are expected to 17~24% in fatalities, 11~17% in seriously injured road user, 6~9% in slightly injured road user, 5~6% in property damage only accidents.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.66-75
• /
• 2004

Objectives: This study was intended to see the relationship between psychiatric consequences and injury severity following traffic accidents. Methods: We surveyed the 134 patients who were hospitalized from 1994 to 2003 at Chosun University Hospital for psychiatic disability evaluation following traffic accident. We reevaluate demographic factors from admission note. Psychiatric symptoms from mental status exam in medical records. Psychological tests(MMPI, BAI, BDI, K-WAIS) were done. Then we calculate the injury severity score and McBride's rate of disability due to diagnosis from emergency care hospital records. Their relationships were evaluated by statistical methods which were t-test and Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS-10. Results: When physical injury was not severe, suicidal attempt was more frequent and depression, hysteria, psychasthenia, psychopathic deviation subscales were high in MMPI. But when physical injury was severe, they have diffficulty in concentration, impaired orientation, and changed in IQ score. There was no relationship between physical injury severity and faking bad scales(F, Ds-r). Conclusion: We must not assume when physical injury was not severe, the severe sympomts are just faking for their benefit.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.32-38
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of patients injured by high-rotation cutting tools and the factors related to the severity of their injuries. Methods: Adult patients (≥18 years), who presented to the emergency department (ED) after a high-rotation cutting tool injury and who were registered in the Korean Emergency Department-based Injury In-Depth Surveillance (2011-2018) database, were included. Patients' demographic characteristics, injury-related factors, and Injury Severity Scores were collected. All included cases were categorized into two groups according to the tool that caused the injury: grinder versus nongrinder. The characteristics of the two groups were compared, and the factors associated with the severity of injuries were investigated. Results: Among 8,697 ED visits, 4,603 patients had been using a grinder and 4,094 had been using a nongrinder tool. The most frequently injured body part while using a grinder was the hand (46.4%), followed by the head (23.0%). While using a nongrinder tool, the most frequently injured body part was also the hand (64.0%), followed by the lower leg (11.4%). The odds of a severe injury were affected by patient age (odds ratio [OR], 1.024; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.020-1.028) and using a grinder (OR, 2.073; 95% CI, 1.877-2.290). The odds of a severe injury using a grinder were higher in arm injuries (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.40-1.83) and multiple-part injuries (OR, 1.998; 95% CI, 1.639-2.437). The odds of a severe injury using a grinder were lower for head injuries (OR, 0.481; 95% CI, 0.297-0.781). Conclusions: Injuries from grinders were more likely to affect the head and neck than nongrinder injuries, despite the lower severity. The current lack of regulations on grinders in occupational safety and health standards warrants relevant legislation and the development of applicable safety equipment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.55-72
• /
• 1987

The work analyzes the existing situation and defines special problems concerning traffic accidents in the two countries. The report is divided into three parts: 1) Using the global approach of SMEED, the data were evaluated using multiple regression analysis, and homogeneous groups of countries were defined by cluster analysis. In the global approach, the linear model is better than SMEED's non-linear model in explaining the number of fatalities. Among the different groups of countries, the linear approach was found to be better suited for industrialized countries and the non-linear approach better for the developing countries. T도 comparison of traffic fatality data for the Federal Republic the developing countries. The comparison of traffic fatality data for the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Korea showed different regression equations during the same time period. 2) The BOX/JENKINS time series analysis on a monthly basis points out clearly similar seasonal patterns for the two countries over the years studied. The decrease in traffic accidents following the intensification of the safety belt requirement was proved in the ARIMA model. It amounts to 7 to 8 percent fewer personal injury accidents and fatal accidents. The identified increase in safety in the Federal Republic of Germany since the 1970s is mainly due to the reduction of accident severity in residential areas. 3) Speeds and headways on motorways in th3e two countries were also compared. The measurements point out that German road users drive faster, take more risks, and accept shorter time gaps than Korean road users. However, the accident statistics show accident rates for Korea that are several times higher than those in the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.27-37
• /
• 2014

Objectives: On September 27, 2012, leakage of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid occurred in a chemical plant in the Gumi National Industrial Complex. Following the accident, local factory workers and residents complained of abnormal health conditions. In addition, visual discolorations were widely observed in crops and trees in surrounding areas. The main objectives of the present study were to identify the area that was affected by the spill using data obtained from plants, soil, and water samples after the accident. Methods: Fluoride concentrations were analyzed in pine tree needles, soil, nearby streams, ponds and reservoirs collected from an area within a radius of three kilometers from the plant where the leak occurred. Fluoride concentrations in the air at the time of leakage were then estimated from fluoride concentrations that were measured in the pine tree needles. A Kriged map was developed to describe the spatial distribution of hydrofluoric acid at the time of the leakage and was compared with the area designated as a Special Disaster Zone by the government. Results: The Special Disaster Zone did not include all the affected area that was estimated by the Kriged map. Analytical results of the environmental samples also supported this discrepancy. Conclusion: Using plants, atmospheric concentrations of fluoride at the time of the leakage could be estimated. For the area that was identified as affected, further public health risk assessment and environmental risk assessment should be considered. Also, in the absence of air monitoring at the time of leakage, studies employing plants may be conducted in order to better understand the spatial extent and severity of the contamination.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.797-807
• /
• 2009

In a case of an automobile rear-end collision, scale of the collision which are the extent of vehicle damage and the injury of the passenger is affected by the speed change. Based on the photographic interpretation of the actual accident cases in the Seoul and the Incheon area, this study measured the depth of crush and calculated the speed change from the statement data of the accident and speed, and also injury data such as diagnosis, hospitalization days are collected. The period of hospitalization and diagnostics claimed proves to have no statistical correlation with the depth of vehicle crush and speed change. Based on the statistical analysis from this study and previous foreign studies, we found that there have been 78.1% of personal accidents didn't reach the injury threshold. There should be objective information on the scale of accident accepting the claims-to-be-injured in the future, and application of injury threshold level suggested are considered to be very useful.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 2011

The weight of elderly people in Korea has been increasing. Statistics show that the percentage of the elderly people in Korea was 3.1% in 1970; 3.8% in 1980; 5.1% in 1990, and 7.2% in 2000. Based on this trend, thus, the number of elderly people could be estimated to be 14% of the whole Korean population in 2018. This reveals that Korea is entering a super-aging society with remarkable fast pace. In such a change, the statistics related to elderly people driving license and the occurrence of traffic accidents are showing a noticeable numerical value. The number of traffic accident fatality in Korea ranks the highest value in OECD Countries. However, the research on old drivers in the nation is going on partially centering on system improvement and management scheme. Thus, first of all, researches about the linkage & characteristics between the driving behavior of old drivers and traffic accident should be implemented, in order properly to draw system improvement and management scheme for the old drivers. Therefore, the focus of this study is the influence model for discerning the severity of the age-old-caused traffic accidents by inquiring into the relation between the Driving Aptitude Test items that make it possible to measure their behavioral characteristics and influential factors by age group on the basis of the data on traffic accidents. The analysis results can be used as basic data for suggesting the behavioral research and countermeasure for traffic safety and its management for old driver in preparation for the aging society.