This qualitative study, utilizing focus group interviews with community members and in-depth interviews with victims and perpetrators, explored Latinos' beliefs and perceptions of IPV in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as a basis for developing culturally appropriate intimate partner violence (IPV) services for this population. The findings from these interviews suggest that this community recognizes IPV as a problem and is aware of the multiple dimensions, potential causes, and negative consequences of IPV. In general, participants perceived family and neighbors as preferring to not get involved in situations of IPV. However, family was also expected to, and often did, provide tangible support to victims. Directions for developing prevention programs for this population and future research are suggested.

The objective of this study was to describe the nonfatal unintentional injuries among children aged <15 years treated in four emergency departments (EDs) in Nicaragua. The 2004 Injury Surveillance System included all cases of injuries that attended the four hospital EDs (n = 37,577). We analysed the records of 13,426 children aged <15 years who sustained nonfatal unintentional injuries. The leading causes of injuries were falls (50.5%), blunt force trauma (13.2%) and transport-related incidents (11.5%). Transport-related injuries primarily involved cyclists (42.3%) and motor-vehicle passengers (32.5%). Ten per cent of the injured children were hospitalised. This is the first study to present the epidemiology of nonfatal unintentional injuries among children treated in EDs in Nicaragua. Unintentional injuries are an important cause of morbidity, but the burden remains largely unaddressed. The implementation of the already well-established transportation-related prevention strategies should be a priority. Prevention of falls (falls being the leading cause of injury among children) demands further study.

Objective. To describe the circumstances of fall-related injuries among youth 0-19 years treated in emergency departments in Nicaragua; to estimate the incidence rates (IR) of falls; and, to identify areas for prevention efforts. Materials and Methods. All patients <20 years who were residents of Managua, León, Jinotepe, and Ciudad Sandino (6 593) were selected for analysis. Data were collected with the 2004 Injury Surveillance System. Results. In 2004, the IR of falls for youth <20 years old was 104.2 incidents per 10 000 persons. The IR for male youth was twice that of female youth. Overall, trees (23.3%) and beds (15.2%) were the main objects involved in falls. Fractures were the leading injuries sustained. Conclusions. This study identifies three areas that can be addressed: furniture, recreation, and physical environment. Interventions that may be most useful for caregivers and adolescents include changes in the home environment and recreation play areas, as well as educational programs.