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Objectives This study sought to examine the discrepancy in counting injury deaths according to two definitions, that is, (a) external cause of injury as the underlying cause of death (UCOD), and (b) with mention of external cause of injury, and differences in certification practices between Taiwan and the USA. Methods We calculated the percentage (U/M%) in which external cause of injury was selected as the UCOD (U) among deaths with mention (M) of external cause of injury anywhere on the death certificate to assess the discrepancy between the two definitions in counting injury deaths. Results The discrepancy was small in Taiwan and in the USA for transport injuries (with U/M% 99% and 98%) and intentional self-harm (100% and 100%) and large for accidental suffocation (64% and 29%) as well as complications of medical and surgical care (61% and 10%). The magnitude of discrepancy was not consistent between countries in accidental falls (96% vs 81%) and accidental drowning (80% vs 97%). Certifiers in Taiwan were more likely to report an accidental fall in Part I of the death certificate and less likely to report medical conditions (such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, etc) with accidental suffocation than their counterpart US certifiers. Conclusions The counting of injury deaths according to two definitions varied by external cause of injury as well as between countries. For some external causes of injury with high discrepancies, we suggest presenting the number of injury deaths according to two definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We sought to examine changes in the magnitude of social inequality in motorcycle helmet use in Taiwan between 2001 and 2009. Methods Using data from the 2001 and 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Surveys, we calculated absolute (the slope index of inequality, SII) and relative (relative index of inequality, RII) measures of inequality in helmet use by three indicators of socioeconomic position. Results The rate of motorcycle helmet use was 92% (14 801/16 100) in 2001 and decreased to 89% (15 748/17 948) in 2009. We noted a significant decrease in social inequality in helmet use in RII according to urbanisation level, a significant decrease in SII and RII according to income level, and a significant increase in SII according to education level. The reduction in RII according to urbanisation level was more prominent than that based on income level, from 1.73 (95% CI 1.63 to 1.84) in 2001 to 1.33 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.39) in 2009. The decline in helmet use was most prominent for motorcycle users who live in suburban areas, from 94% in 2001 to 88% in 2009. Conclusions The significant reduction of social inequality in helmet use according to urbanisation level and income is not a public health success story. Rather, it is a warning sign of slackening law enforcement in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study objective: To examine sociological explanations for the higher level of insomnia in women, including social roles and socioeconomic status (SES). Design: Cross sectional survey research Setting: Taiwanese 2001 "social trend survey" Participants: A nationally representative sample of 39 588 citizens aged 15 years or older living in Taiwan. Main results: On average, women scored 1.25 points higher than men on the insomnia inventory (p<0.0001) but after controlling for social roles, the sex discrepancy in insomnia decreased slightly. SES did not, however, explain women's higher levels of insomnia. Sub scale analysis showed an association between the role of homemaker and increased night time sleep disturbance and decreased daytime sequelae of poor sleep while higher educational attainment was related only to more severe daytime sequelae. Conclusion: The sex discrepancy in insomnia narrowed slightly after taking social role factors into consideration but was not explained by SES. The persistent sex gap in insomnia warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]