Statistical Disease Cluster Surveillance of Medically Treated Self-Inflicted Injuries in Alberta, Canada

The authors review a statistical cluster detection method applicable to regions with diverse administration area population sizes. The method is applied to assess clustering of self-inflicted injury presentations to emergency departments in Alberta. Analyses focus on the pediatric population & are adjusted by age & gender distributions of subregional health authorities. 15 clusters of self-inflicted injuries are identified &, based on age & gender distributions, the clusters are not likely chance occurrences. It is concluded these clusters represent areas of excessive self-inflicted injury & that special intervention programs should be considered. (29 refs.)