Determinants of school injury proneness in adolescents: a prospective study

Summary 

Objective

Injury proneness is common in adolescents, but the role of individual factors has received little attention. This study assessed the relationships of a number of individual characteristics with frequency of school injuries.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted on 2396 students from middle schools and high schools in an urban area in France over one school year. A questionnaire was completed by each student at the beginning of the school year, and an injury questionnaire was completed for all injuries that occurred at school during the year. Data were analysed using the χ² independence test and logistic models.

Results

Over the study year, 10.6% of the students had a single injury. Frequent injuries (two or more) were common (2.3%) and were strongly related to younger age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.28–1.79], frequent use of psychotropic drugs (aOR 2.03, 95%CI 1.06–3.86) and a poorer average school mark (<10/20, aOR 2.58, 95%CI 1.30–5.12). The occurrence of a single injury was less strongly related to younger age (aOR 1.20, 95%CI 1.11–1.30) and frequent use of psychotropic drugs (aOR 1.43, 95%CI 1.04–1.96), and was also associated with parental absence (aOR 1.33, 95%CI 1.00–1.77), not being calm (aOR 1.41, 95%CI 1.03–1.89) and not being easily irritated (aOR 1.56, 95%CI 1.14–2.13).

Conclusions

This study identified a number of factors associated with injury frequency. This information could be useful for injury prevention. Physicians could help students, parents, teachers and school staff to be more aware of the risks and to find remedial measures.

Keywords: School injuries, Adolescents, Individual characteristics, Psychotropic drug use, Personality traits, Family