Injuries in Homes with Certain Built Forms

BackgroundRates of injuries may occur more frequently in different types of homes.MethodsRetrospective population-based cohort study utilizing three linked databases: a population register, an architectural assessment of homes in the area, and an emergency department-based injury surveillance system.ResultsOver 58,000 homes were classified into 94 different types according to age, size, and built form. Among the 112,248 inhabitants, there were 18,044 emergency department attendances for treatment of an injury suffered in the home. Adjusted odds ratio of injuries for residents of purpose-built apartments was substantially elevated for all injuries (2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.87–2.30) and poisoning episodes (5.6; 95% CI=3.8–8.3).ConclusionsResidents of apartment buildings have substantially higher injury rates. Additional research is required to investigate the contribution of environmental hazards and behavioral factors underlying these high rates.