Mapping of injuries from interpersonal violence using Geographical Information System (GIS) in an Emergency Department (original) (raw)
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BMJ open, 2014
In 2002, the WHO declared interpersonal violence to be a leading public health problem. Previous research demonstrates that urban spaces with a high incidence of violent trauma (hotspots) correlate with features of built environment and social determinants. However, there are few studies that analyse injury data across the axes of both space and time to characterise injury-environment relationships. This paper describes a spatiotemporal analysis of violent injuries in Vancouver, Canada, from 2001 to 2008. Using geographic information systems, 575 violent trauma incidents were mapped and analysed using kernel density estimation to identify hotspot locations. Patterns between space, time, victim age and sex and mechanism of injury were investigated with an exploratory approach. Several patterns in space and time were identified and described, corresponding to distinct neighbourhood characteristics. Violent trauma hotspots were most prevalent in Vancouver's nightclub district on Fr...
Patterns of Urban Violent Injury: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis
Objectives: Injury related to violent acts is a problem in every society. Although some authors have examined the geography of violent crime, few have focused on the spatio-temporal patterns of violent injury and none have used an ambulance dataset to explore the spatial characteristics of injury. The purpose of this study was to describe the combined spatial and temporal characteristics of violent injury in a large urban centre. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using a geomatics framework and geographic information systems software, we studied 4,587 ambulance dispatches and 10,693 emergency room admissions for violent injury occurrences among adults (aged 18– 64) in Toronto, Canada, during 2002 and 2004, using population-based datasets. We created kernel density and choropleth maps for 24-hour periods and four-hour daily time periods and compared location of ambulance dispatches and patient residences with local land use and socioeconomic characteristics. We used multivariate regressions to control for confounding factors. We found the locations of violent injury and the residence locations of those injured were both closely related to each other and clearly clustered in certain parts of the city characterised by high numbers of bars, social housing units, and homeless shelters, as well as lower household incomes. The night and early morning showed a distinctive peak in injuries and a shift in the location of injuries to a ''nightlife'' district. The locational pattern of patient residences remained unchanged during those times. Conclusions/Significance: Our results demonstrate that there is a distinctive spatio-temporal pattern in violent injury reflected in the ambulance data. People injured in this urban centre more commonly live in areas of social deprivation. During the day, locations of injury and locations of residences are similar. However, later at night, the injury location of highest density shifts to a ''nightlife'' district, whereas the residence locations of those most at risk of injury do not change.
Using GIS to Analyze Twenty-Two Years of Homicides from 1990 to 2012 in the State of Minnesota
IAU International Journal of Social Sciences, 2019
Crime against all classes of individuals is a serious social problem. In the United States, the percentage of total hate crimes committed against victims increased to 18.8 percent in 2009, the highest percentage in ten years. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, some men and women have frequently been the second most common victim of hate crime over the past decade. The purpose of this research was to provide an overview of statistical and spatial analyses of twenty-two years of homicides from 1990 to 2012 in the state of Minnesota. According to the research, approximately 90.4 percent of homicides happened between 1990 and 2001 and 9.6 percent happened between the years 2001 and 2012. The most important goal was to compare patterns of homicides through five key elements (ID of victims (groups), Race of victims, Sex of victims, Weapon used, and Cause of Death) within a geographic information system (GIS). The records of homicides in the state of Minnesota demonstrated how geographic analysis conducted within a GIS can assist in the investigation of homicide and how GIS can provide useful tools and techniques to visualize and analyze spatial data.
Bulletin of Emergency and Trauma, 2013
To explain an important aspect of violence, the spatiotemporal pattern of trauma in victims of violence visited in emergency room of Rajaei hospital, Shiraz, Iran Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study comprised 109 randomly selected victims of violence visited in emergency room of Rajaei hospital, a tertiary referral hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in winter 2013. We recorded the demographic information as well as data regarding the type and time of the injuries. The data collected for each victim was then entered in a data gathering form. Results: The study included 88% males with mean age 27.8 ± 8.8 years, which encompassed more than 60% young adults. Our study showed a temporal pattern with triple peaks. Moreover, 64% of assault trauma occurred at night. Furthermore, our study showed the majority of our patients suffered from stab wounds and about 57% of patients studied lacked high school diploma. Moreover it was revealed that violence was more common in downtown Shiraz, especially in the Fifth city district with simultaneous presence of many risk factors for violence. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that age, gender, educational status and temporal peak of violence were shown to be similar to other investigations conducted in other countries. Despite these similarities, stabbing were more prevalent in our study. Additionally, the Fifth city district of Shiraz seems to be the main city district where preventive intervention is needed to reduce violence-related injuries.
Spatial analysis of injury-related deaths in Dallas County using a geographic information system
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 2012
This study applied a geographic information system (GIS) to identify clusters of injury-related deaths (IRDs) within a large urban county (26 cities; population, 2.4 million). All deaths due to injuries in Dallas County (Texas) in 2005 (N = 670) were studied, including the geographic location of the injury event. Out of 26 cities in Dallas County, IRDs were reported in 19 cities. Geospatial data were obtained from the local governments and entered into the GIS. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR, with 95% CI) were calculated for each city and the county using national age-adjusted rates. Dallas County had significantly more deaths due to homicides (SMR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.54-1.98) and IRDs as a result of gunshots (SMR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.37) than the US national rate. However, this increase was restricted to a single city (the city of Dallas) within the county, while the rest of the 25 cities in the county experienced IRD rates that were either similar to or better than the national ...
NEW METHODS FOR RESILIENT SOCIETIES: THE GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF INJURY DATA
In this paper an empirical assessment of injury patterns is supplied as an example of social endurance-resilient societies can be built by means of geographical analysis of injury data, providing better support for decision makers regarding urban safety. Preventing road traffic collisions with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, could help mitigate significant loses and improve infrastructure planning. In this sense, the geographical aspects of injury prevention are of clear spatial analog, and should be tested regarding the carrying capacity of urban areas as well as vulnerability for growing urban regions. The application of open source development tool for spatial analysis research in health studies is addressed. The study aims to create a framework of available open source tools through Python that enable better decision making through a systematic review of existing tools for spatial analysis. Methodologically, spatial autocorrelation indices are tested as well as influential variables are brought forward to establish a better understanding of the incremental concern of injuries in rural areas, in general, and in the Greater Toronto Area, in particular. By using Python Library for Spatial Analysis (PySAL), an integrative vision of assessing a growing epidemiological concern of injuries in Toronto, one of North America's fastest growing economic metropolises is offered. In this sense, this study promotes the use of PySAL and open source toolsets for integrating spatial analysis and geographical analysis for health practitioners. The novelty and capabilities of open source tools through methods such as PySAL allow for a cost efficiency as well as give planning an easier methodological toolbox for advances spatial modelling techniques.
IDENTIFYING HIGH RISK AREAS FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE USING GIS
Geographic Information Systems(GIS) can be used to target prevention and outreach to those most in need. A family violence project located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, USA uses ESRI's ArcGIS to locate and identify high risk populations located in rural areas. Using law enforcement information on family violence incidents, we are mapping "hot spots," that is, areas that have high levels of family violence, which are then targeted for prevention and outreach efforts. Targeted outreach maximizes limited resources and ensures that high risk populations are reached. Figure 3: Ring Mapping (each ring represents one quarter, where green represents no change in family violence and red, orange, or yellow indicate increases)
Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses
Geocoded emergency department (ED) data have allowed for the development and evaluation of novel interventions for the prevention of violence in cities outside of the United States. First implemented in Cardiff, United Kingdom, collection of these data provides public health agencies, community organizations, and law enforcement with place-based information on assaults. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of translating this model within the electronic medical record (EMR) in the United States. A new EMR module based on the Cardiff Model was developed and integrated into the existing ED EMR. Data were collected for all patients reporting an assaultive injury upon arrival to the ED. Emergency department nurses were subsequently recruited to participate in 2 surveys and a focus group to evaluate the implementation and to provide qualitative feedback to enhance integration. Nurses completed EMR questions in 98.2% of patients reporting to the ED over the study period...
Exploring the spatial configuration of places related to homicide events
Alexandria, VA: Institute of Law and Justice, 2006
This research effort benefited from the input of a variety of individuals who made both substantive and technical contributions. George Rengert, a consultant on the project, provided valuable insights regarding initial patterns of triangles and suggestions regarding the analysis plan that produced them. Deborah Weisel's question about the impact of repeat victimization on triangle type was the impetus for our analysis of the spatial configuration of the three events (dots, lines and triangles section). Also, we are indebted to Jerry Ratcliffe for his initial suggestion to use actual distance rather than social distance to classify the triangles. Two anonymous reviewers contributed comments that improved the final report. In addition, we thank all the individuals who provided interesting and thoughtful feedback on presentations of the data analysis over the last two years.