ABSTRACT
Objective To examine the epidemiological features and relative risk factors of repeated injuries among middle, high and college students in Ma' anshan city of Anhui province. Methods A prospective study on repeated injuries for 1-year follow-up period was carried out among 1494 students from 3 middle schools or colleges. Risk factors for repeated injuries were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression model. Results 799 students suffered 1639 episodes of injuries, with an incidence rate of 53.48%. The repeated group consisted of 200 students who suffered 854 injuries, accounted for 52.10% among the total injuries. Results from Multi-normial logistic regression analysis showed that male, number of family members of 4 or over, extraversion of character trait, and upper quartile of self-rating anxiety symptoms were the risk factors for the occurrence of repeated injuries. Moderate or well-of family income, mothers with senior high school education, and upper quartile of self-rating depression symptoms were protective factors for repeated injuries. Conclusion Socio-demographic factors and emotional status may predict the occurrence of repeated injuries that called for further study.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the influence of different recall time periods on epidemiological survey of injuries among children and adolescents. Methods A study on injuries for 12 months follow-up period was actively surveyed among 4523 pupils selected by cluster sampling from 12 kindergartens, 1 elementary school, 1 junior high school, 1 senior high school and 1 college in Maanshan city in November, 2007 to November, 2008. Injury events were actively surveyed by school doctors or class health workers simultaneously. Participants were divided into three groups, the first group including self-reported injuries by 3-months interval, the second group with self-recalled injuries by 6-months interval and the third group with self-reported injuries in the past 12 months. Validity and reliability of injuries between surveillance injuries and retrospective injuries were compared. Results The overall rate of injury events was 74.2% and injury events and rate was higher in boys than that in girls (P<0.01) , In total, 6350 injury events were registered for the survey. Compare with surveillance findings, the injury rate declined 0.02% and the number of injuries had a 19 person/time reduction from the retrospective injuries by 3-months interval. The injury rate declined 0.02% and number of injuries reduced 58 person/times from the survey of retrospective injuries by 6-month interval. The rate of injuries declined 8.8% and frequencies had a 505 reduction from data of self-reported injuries in the past 12 months. The largest declines were found for the 3 to 6 year-old age group and for minor injuries. Conclusion The 12-month recall period on underestimate injury rates was compared to the 3-month recall periods and 6-month recall periods. Recall periods of 6 months were recommended to be used in injury survey in children and adolescents.