Long-term effects of community-based injury prevention on the island of Værøy in Norway: A 20-year follow up

Abstract

Aim: A multifactorial injury prevention programme started in 1981 and ran for about 10 years in an island community in Norway with a population of about 1,000. A study was undertaken to evaluate effects of the programme over a period of 20 years. Methods: Injuries were recorded by the one medical doctor on the island for several years during the period 1970— 2001. The programme was carried out very intensively from 1981 to 1987. The intensity gradually decreased to a medium level that lasted until about 1994, when it was further reduced to a low level. Results: The injury incidence rate was reduced from 17.7% in 1980 (n=188) to 9.7% in 1987 (n=97) with relative risk reduced to 0.55 (95% CI 0.44—0.70, p<0.0001). In 2001, an incidence rate of 9.6% was observed (n=91). An even higher reduction was observed for serious injuries. The age groups 15—24 and 65+ showed the most distinct reductions from 1980 to 2001 while minor reduction was observed in children (0—14 years). The incidence rate of traffic injuries was reduced by 77% in spite of an increase in the number of motor vehicles. Occupational, home, and other injuries were reduced by 38%, 35%, and 49% respectively. The incidence rates were 2.6—3.0 times higher for men than for women through the 20-year observation period. Conclusion: This study indicates that a long-lasting multifactorial community-based intervention in a small community with defined aims may lead to a considerable and long-lasting reduction in injuries.