Neighborhood social characteristics and fall injuries in children. An area-based study in Stockholm County.

Objectives: To study the potential influence of the composition of the population in Stockholm County on the occurrence of paediatric fall injuries.

Methods: Odds ratios are compiled considering socio-demographic composition (socioeconomic circumstances, socioeconomic status, and social integration), fall injury mechanisms, age groups and injury severity levels.

Results: Compositional characteristics impact on fall injuries in various ways depending on type of exposure, age of victim, fall circumstance, and severity level. For younger children, effects are observed above all in the case of socioeconomic circumstances and for older children, in that of social integration. Also, both protective and aggravating effects are observed. Further, all falls aggregated and for both young and old children, social integration is associated with excess odds of admissions for long-bone fractures.

Conclusion: The effect of neighbourhood social composition on fall-related injury in childhood is not straightforward. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms may aid the determination of targets, and also enhance strategies for prevention and for the allocation of health-care resources.