Incidence and distribution of injury among schoolchildren aged 11-15.

OBJECTIVES

To measure the incidence and age and sex distribution of self reported experience of injuries in the preceding 12 month period among a representative national sample of Scottish schoolchildren and to validate the findings against other data sources.

DESIGN

Self completed questionnaire administered in schools, April-June 1994.

SUBJECTS

4710 pupils aged 11, 13, and 15 years drawn from a representative sample of 270 classes with returns from 224 classes (83.2% completion rate).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Number, type, site, and severity of injuries reported.

RESULTS

41.9% of pupils reported a medically attended injury, with injury incidence significantly higher in boys than in girls. Using the abbreviated injury scale (maximum abbreviated injury score) one third of injuries were either moderate or severe.

CONCLUSION

The incidence and distribution of self reported injury is consistent with estimates based on other data sources thus confirming the utility of this method of injury surveillance in this age group.