Marine Safety in Victoria Report 2007-2008 (PDF, 1.3 MB, 72 pp.)

5.4.2.1 Hospital admissions (n =223)
Figure 7 shows the trend (rate per 100,000 population) for recreational boating-related injury hospital
admissions from July 1999 to June 2007. Reliable and comprehensive participation data are not available
to form the denominator. The general trend upward is most probably due to injury surveillance data
system improvements.
The annual frequency of admissions for recreational boating-related injuries showed a steady upward
trend over the 6-year period from 1999/2000 to 20005/06 (from an average of 100 cases per year over
the 3-year period 1999/2000 to 2001/2 to 244 cases in 2005/06). In 2006/7, the annual frequency of
admissions reduced to 223. This may be a result of deteriorating case capture following the finish of
the MSV-funded hospital-treated boating injury call back study. Of the 223 hospitalisations, 100 (44%)
were recorded under the water transport cause of injury codes and 127 (57%) under the expanded
activity codes.
Figure 7 Trend in the frequency and rate (per 100,000 population) of recreational boating-related
hospital admissions by year, Victoria 1999/2000 to 2006/2007
250
200
Frequency
Rate per 100,000 population
6.0
5.0
Frequency
150
100
50
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
Rate per 100,000 population
0
199900 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 200607
Financial year
0.0
Source: Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED)
Figure 8 shows injury admission rates (per 100,000 population) by age and gender. Rates were higher for
males than females in most 5-year age groups, with the exception of 10-14 year olds where the female
rate was slightly higher than the male rate. The highest rates for boating-related injury admissions were
observed in males aged 20-24 years, 30-34 years and 25-29 years (13.2, 12.4 and 11.5 admissions per
100,000 male population, respectively). We cannot conclude that males are at higher absolute risk of
serious injury in boating-related recreational activities than females because available participation data
indicate that male exposure to boating activities is much higher than females (SRV, 2003).
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