The injury workforce in Western Australia: Findings from a cross-sectional survey

Using ERIC to Assess Implementation Science in Drowning Prevention Interventions in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

This systematic review identifies and describes the use of the Expert Recommendation for Implementing Change (ERIC) concepts and strategies using public health approaches to drowning prevention interventions as a case study. International calls for action have identified the need to better understand the implementation of drowning prevention interventions so that intervention design and implementation is improved. In high-income countries (HICs), interventions are sophisticated but still little is known or written about their implementation. The review was registered on PROSPERO (number CRD42022347789) and followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eight databases were searched. Articles were assessed using the Public Health Ontario Meta-tool for quality appraisal of public health evidence. Forty-nine articles were included. Where ERIC strategies were reported, the focus was on evaluative and iterative strategies, developing partnerships and engaging the target group. The review identified few articles that discussed intervention development and implementation sufficiently for strategies to be replicated. Findings will inform further research into the use and measurement of implementation strategies by practitioners and researchers undertaking work in drowning prevention in HICs and supports a call to action for better documentation of implementation in public health interventions.

The shape of the New Zealand child injury prevention workforce

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of the New Zealand child injury prevention workforce and the organisations they represent.

METHODS

Representatives of organisations on the Safekids Aotearoa database were invited to complete an online survey. The standardised questionnaire asked for information about injury prevention focus and expertise, communication preferences and information access.

RESULTS

Of 196 respondents, the majority were female and identified as New Zealand European. For only a small proportion of respondents, child injury prevention is the main focus of their role. The key sources of child injury data and injury prevention information identified was Safekids Aotearoa, followed by the Ministry of Health. Respondents indicated that they would like to receive information on new research, training opportunities and upcoming events, and information from other organisations.

CONCLUSIONS

Males and people of Pacific and Asian ethnicity are under-represented in the New Zealand child injury prevention workforce in New Zealand. The low engagement of the sector with Māori authorities is of concern, given the inequities in rates of child injury that exist.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

There is a need to conduct a wider and more regular audit of the child injury prevention sector to determine its composition and identify areas of concern.