Home > Chronic Diseases > Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada Research, Policy and Practice > Volume 37 · Number 1 · January 2017 > Text Equivalents
This figure depicts the process for searching and screening research on autism spectrum disorders found in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO and ERIC), published between 2003 and 2013.
In this figure, journal articles were categorized into broad themes: chemical, physiological, nutritional, social and other, based on the nature of the environmental exposure examined. Within each broad them, we identified recurring subthemes. We abstracted publication year, study design, study population, exposure, confounders, case definition and main findings from each full-text article.
Search filters were applied to screen for eligibility. Subsequently, duplicates were removed, and various levels of screening were conducted in order to exclude articles that were out of scope or did not correspond to the eligibility criteria.
The review process resulted in 315 articles for final analysis. Our review focussed mainly on primary studies and systematic reviews.
The chemical factors investigated in association with ASD included environmental chemicals, vaccines, medication and substance abuse. Articles on exposure to environmental chemicals and vaccines (both primarily concerning postnatal exposure) each accounted for approximately 40% of the chemical dimension.
Figure 3 shows the final selection of articles published, by research area and publication period, on associations between environmental factors and autism spectrum disorder, by subject and time period. Most articles were published between 2009 and 2013, with the exception of articles on vaccines, most of which were published between 2003 and 2008.
In Figure 1a, we see that public health staff from the convenience sample believe that the areas of work most impacted by the built environment in Ontario are air quality, physical activity and water quality. Public health professionals agreed that access to tobacco and access to alcohol were impacted by the built environment, but ranked them last, while planning professionals did not agree and ranked them last.
In Figure 1b, we see that planners from the convenience sample believe that the areas of work most impacted by the built environment in Ontario are water quality, air quality and physical activity. Public health professionals agreed that access to tobacco and access to alcohol were impacted by the built environment, but ranked them last, while planning professionals did not agree and ranked them last.
Figure 2a shows the opinion of the public health staff from the convenience sample on the ideal roles of public health staff working with planners on the built environment.
Public health staff recommended most highly the following roles: "provides consultation to planning" (88%) and "partners on specific projects" (78%).
Figure 2b shows the opinion of planners from the convenience sample on the ideal roles of public health staff working with planners on the built environment.
Planners recommended most highly the following roles: "provides consultation to planning" (81%) and "partners on specific projects" (66%). One planning professional commented that it is important to consider how and where to include public health professionals in the planning process.
Figure 3a illustrates the barriers identified by public health staff from the convenience sample to working with planners on the built environment.
Barriers included "limited human resources" (63%), a "lack of understanding regarding application of public health mandate in planning practice" (54%), and "organizational structures hinder collaboration" (43%). 37% stated that collaboration with the other profession is "not a priority/requirement." One public health professional commented on the lack of understanding of each profession's mandate: "We need to learn about what each other does... [This] may assist in the natural formation of a common ground."
Figure 3b illustrates the barriers identified by planners from the convenience sample to working with public health staff on the built environment.
Barriers included a "lack of understanding regarding application of public health mandate in planning practice" (59%), "limited human resources" (52%), and "organizational structures hinder collaboration" (47%). Half of planners (53%) stated that collaboration with the other profession is "not a priority/requirement."
Figure 4a depicts the public health staff's opinion on the extent of their knowledge on land use planning.
In relation to land use planning, public health staff indicated that they had the least amount of knowledge about processes, legislation and policy. They indicated that they had the most extensive knowledge about terminology, roles and responsibilities.
Figure 4b depicts planners' opinion on the extent of their knowledge on public health.
In relation to public health, planners indicated that they had the least amount of knowledge about legislation, standards and organizational structure. They indicated that they had the most extensive knowledge about terminology, roles and responsibilities.
Return to Figure 4b: Extent of their knowledge on public health, according to planners (n = 301)
Figure 1 shows the distribution of burn injuries by mechanism, frequency and percent, all ages, eCHIRPP 2013.
We can see that of the 1682 cases identified, representing 1.2% (1682/137 245; 1226/100 000 eCHIRPP cases) of injuries reported in 2013, half were scalds (52.3%; 879/1682) and 29.9% (503/1682) were contact burns from hot objects.
Figure 2 illustrates the distribution of scalds by age group and sex, frequency and proportion per 100 000 records in eCHIRPP in 2013. It is clear that young children were the most prominent age group for scalds, particularly children aged 1 and under.
Figure 3 illustrates the distribution of burns from contact with hot objects, by age group and sex, frequency and proportion per 100 000 records in eCHIRPP in 2013. Young children were the most prominent age groups for burns from contact with hot objects, in particular children aged 1 and under. A significant decrease is observed starting with the 5-9 age group.