摘要：Background: Injuries are among the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada. However,
the types and rates of injuries vary between rural versus urban settings. Injury rates
increase with rurality, particularly those related to motor vehicle collisions. Factors such
as type of work, hazardous environments and longer driving distances contribute to the
difference in rural and urban injury rates. Further examination of injuries comparing
rural and urban settings with increased granularity in the nature of injuries and severity
is needed.
Methods: The study population consisted of records from the electronic Canadian
Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP) from between 2011 and
July 2017. Rural and urban status was determined based on postal codes as defined by
Canada Post. Proportionate injury ratios (PIRs) were calculated to compare rural and
urban injury rates by nature and severity of injury and sex, among other factors.
Results: Rural injuries were more likely to involve multiple injuries (PIR = 1.66 for
3 injuries) and crush injuries (PIR = 1.72). More modestly elevated PIRs for rural settings
were found for animal bites (1.14), burns (1.22), eye injuries (1.32), fractures
(1.20) and muscle or soft tissue injuries (1.11). Injuries in rural areas were more severe,
with a higher likelihood of cases being admitted to hospital (1.97), and they were more
likely to be due to a motor vehicle collision (2.12).
Conclusion: The nature of injuries in rural settings differ from those in urban settings.
This suggests a need to evaluate current injury prevention efforts in rural settings with
the aim to close the gap between rural and urban injury rates.
