engleski

Epidemiological investigation of school-related injuries in Koprivnica, Croatia

AIM:To present the prevalence of injury in primary schools and determine specific risk groups of school-age children. METHODS:According to the 1991 census, there were 6, 398 children aged 7-14 years in the study area of the former Koprivnica district.354 children were injured in primary schools during the 1992-1997 period.The registration of injured individuals from the area was performed by means of a structured questionnaire filled out at the emergency clinic and outpatient surgical clinic of the General Hospital in Koprivnica.The activities preceding the accident and mechanism of accident were categorized according to the NOMESCO (Nordic Medico-Statistical Committee)classification.Specific risk groups of school children were determined by use of a 2^Chi-test and classification tree based on minimum entropy values for the following variables: age, sex, activity, and mechanism of injury. RESULTS:The highest rate of injury was recorded in children aged 12(21.7%).Injuries to upper extremities were most common (52.8%), whereas contusion was the most common type of injury (45.2%).Younger children (aged 7-10)had a 3.2-fold increased rate of head injuries than the older children aged 11-14. The later group showed a 3.5-fold increased rate of sports injuries that the younger age group(p=0.001 for both comparisons). Entropy classification reveled younger school-age children to be at the highest risk of contusion due to a blow from a ball, an object or contact during sports activities. CONCLUSION: Main causes of school-related injuries in Koprivnica County were sport activities with 42% and play during recess with 55% of all injuered children with specific differences in age and sex. KEY WORDS: school-related injuries ; injury risks ; school children ; entropy classification ; NOMESCO classification. groups of school-age children.

school-related injuries; injury risks; school children; entropy classification; NOMESCO classification

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