This thesis explores the complexities of the issue of injury for children and young people in Ireland. It looks at Irish quantitative data on mortality and morbidity, qualitative data drawn from Coroner's records, interviews with practitioners and reviews policy issues presented by injury. The rationale for the study stems from concern that injury is the principle cause of death for children and young people aged 1-19yrs. It argues that injury and unintentional injury in particular does not receive sufficient attention, in research and policy terms. A Sociological position informs the exploration of injury from theoretical frameworks on childhood and risk. A pragmatic worldview has informed the study methodology. The study focuses on unintentional injury in the context of all injuries and determines the gendered patterns and priorities for four age groups for a 10 year period. Findings show that external injury mortality rates are underestimated. Transport-related injury death has sharply declined but is still the most relevant factor for all age groups, followed by poisoning and drowning for the 15-19yr olds age group for whom the mortality burden is largest. Falls, being struck or pierced, transport and poisoning injuries are the main causes for hospitalisations across all age groups and 0-4yr olds have the highest rates. 10% of all hospital discharges result from unintentional injury. There are knowledge gaps in significant areas such as sport and recreational injuries. Injury practitioners were found to have important potential as injury prevention stakeholders. Injury prevention policy directions are proposed. These include establishing a comprehensive child death review process and a coordinated dedicated child injury prevention approach at government level. It is believed that focussed attention on the issue will help to reduce injury incidence and strengthen the commitment to children's rights
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:677456 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Roche, Mary |
| Publisher | Queen's University Belfast |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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