Incidence and outcomes of school‐based injuries during four academic years in Kocaeli , Turkey

BACKGROUND: School-based injuries are an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence as well as outcomes of school-based injuries at a public primary and secondary school. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study involved 2956 students enrolled at a public primary and secondary school in the central district of Kocaeli province in Turkey from the academic year 2010-2011 to 2013-2014. The data were collected by intern public health nurses at school health units using a school-based injury form. RESULTS: The total incidence of school-based injuries during 4 academic years was 10.52% person-year. The majority of the injured students were aged 10-15 years (73.3%), and boys (65%). Around one-tenth of the injuries were serious, such as burn, fracture-dislocation and soft-tissue injuries. Outdoor injuries were more prevalent for girls while boys had more indoor injuries (50.5%, 53.0%, P > 0.05). The number of the incidence of ≥two injuries increased as the academic year progressed, and there was a weak positive association between the variables (P < 0.05, Cramer's V = 0.311). One out of six injuries were intentional, with the highest incidence in the 6-9 year age group (20.5%) and boys sex (19.8%; P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: School-based injuries at primary and secondary school still challenge the health as well as the security of the students.