198491 Pediatric Hospitalizations Due to Eye Injuries 2000-2006- Development of a Graphic Educational Tool

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 9:18 AM

Roe Roberts, PhD , Graduate Programs in Health and Public Administration, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX
Aparna Komarraju, MBBS , Graduate Programs in Health and Public Administration, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX
Philip Plubell, MPH, ABD , Graduate Programs in Health and Public Administration, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX
  
Only one previous study has been conducted that attempted to describe the occurrence of eye injuries among the entire US pediatric population. It used raw data from the 2000 KIDS database, which the authors weighted to approximate national numbers. Since that time, the Health Cost and Utilization Project has updated and weighted the original 2000 data. This has resulted in much higher numbers than were examined in the study by Brophy et al (2006). As approximately 840,000 children suffer eye injuries each year, it is essential to understand the exact types of eye injuries so as to better develop preventative measures. This study will update Brophy's, and also examine the 2006 KIDS Database, to identify where possible trends, causes, costs and changes in the number and types of injuries. The KIDS database is a component of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project maintained by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. SPSS 16 will assess the data, percentages and CIs will be calculated for each type of eye injury; T-Tests will be conducted comparing the 2000 and 2006 data to identify any statistically significant differences between the demographics and types of eye injuries. The primary goals of this study include assisting health professionals in gaining a clearer understanding of the current types of eye injuries and the development of a simple graphic prevention tool aimed at alerting children to potential eye health dangers. This tool will be similar to one that is currently used in India for all age groups.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify the types of eye injuries requiring hospitalization that are most common in the pediatric population. 2) Identify any demographic risk factors among hospitalized children with eye injuries as a primary or secondary diagnosis. 3) Describe any changes in the types of eye injuries from 2000 to 2006. 4)Formulate and demonstrate an easily understood graphic tool designed to alert children to the most preventable common eye injury dangers.

Keywords: Vision Care, Children and Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Presenter; MPH in Health Promotion, previously published research in the area of health promotion; currently researching in the area of eye health and health promotion
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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