Epidemiological survey on non-fatal injuries among students in Shanghai

ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence and epidemiological characteristics of non-fatal injuries among students in Shanghai, and to provide evidence for developing injury prevention strategies.

MethodsUsing multi-stage sampling to select 8 555 students from 60 elementary, middle and high/vocational schools to participate in the questionnaire survey, the characteristics of non-fatal injuries and related risk factors were investigated during the past 12 months in Shanghai.

ResultsNon-fatal injury incidence of Shanghai students was 9.3% during the past 12 months, of which the incidence of male students was 10.1%, and that of female students 8.5%, and there was no significant difference in incidence between different genders (χ²=5.80, P=0.173);the incidence of elementary school students was 9.4%, middle school students 9.4%, and high/vocational school students 8.9%.There was no significant difference in incidence between different school stages (χ²=0.25, P=0.911);the incidence of urban area was 9.7%, suburban contiguous area 9.7%, and exurb area 7.3%.There was no significant difference in incidence between different regions (χ²=7.05, P=0.415).Fall was the first leading cause of injuries, accounting for 59.2%;followed by cut/pierce, accounting for 10.2%;the third leading cause was road traffic injuries, accounting for 8.8%. Jnjuries occurred with leisure and play (24.8%), sports (22.1%), walking (21.9%) and transports (7.6%).The time of injury occurrence was in July, August, September and October.The most important injury places were home (33.4%), followed by schools (24.3%), road / Street (20.1%), sports places (11.0%).And 97.7% of injuries was unintentional injury, 1.1% intentional injury (violence, assault), 0.5% self-harm or suicide.The proportion of hospitalized injuries was 1.8%, hospital stay for 10 days and above accounted for 0.3%, and less than 10 days accounted for 1.5%.

ConclusionSchools, families and society should take injury problems with students seriously, and prevent students from injuries inside and outside school.