Unintentional injuries among school adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal: A descriptive study

Poudel-Tandukar, K.; Nakahara, S.; Ichikawa, M.; Poudel, K.C.; Joshi, A.B.; Wakai, S.

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2006.01.012

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Volume 120, Issue 7 , Pages 641-649, July 2006

Unintentional injuries among school adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal: A descriptive study

K. Poudel-Tandukar
- Department of International Community Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
S. Nakahara
- Department of International Community Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Corresponding author.
M. Ichikawa
- Department of International Community Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
K.C. Poudel
- Department of International Community Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
A.B. Joshi
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
S. Wakai
- Department of International Community Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

Received 24 January 2005; received in revised form 13 October 2005; accepted 12 January 2006.

Summary

Objective

To describe detailed mechanisms and activities at the time of unintentional injuries among adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Methods

A school-based study was conducted on 1557 students in grades 6–8 across 14 schools, using a self-administered questionnaire during August–September 2003. Mechanisms and activities were coded using the Nordic Medico Statistical Committee's classification.

Findings

Falls (65%) and cuts (63%) were the most common injuries, followed by transport-related injuries (36%) and burns (22%). In urban areas, falls (59%) were the most common injuries, followed by transport-related injuries (50%); in semi-urban areas, falls (66%) and cuts (65%) were the most common injuries, followed by transport-related injuries (34%). At the time of falls, boys were generally engaged in sports while girls were engaged in walking on streets or on stairs in houses, in both areas. Falls from trees among boys and falls from roofs among girls were also common in semi-urban areas. Cut injuries while processing food were common among boys and girls in both areas, whereas agricultural work was also a source of injury in semi-urban areas. Pedestrian injuries were common during transport among boys and girls in both areas; boys in semi-urban areas were almost equally likely to be injured during cycling. Burn injuries while cooking and serving food were more common among girls in semi-urban areas.

Conclusion

Falls, cuts, transport-related injuries, and burn injuries were quite prevalent among adolescents in Kathmandu. The reported injury mechanisms and activities posing injury risks have implications for future interventions.

Keywords: Wounds and injuries, Traffic, Accidental falls, Burns, Nepal, Adolescents