[Injuries among 11-15 year old children]

The objective is to describe the one year incidence rate of self-reported injuries, their causes, where they happened, and their consequences within the age group 11-15 years. Four thousand and forty-six students from a random sample of 45 schools answered a standardized questionnaire about health and health behaviour. This report regards injuries treated by a doctor or a nurse. During one year, 28% were injured, 12% more than once; 12% needed medical treatment such as a plaster cast, stitches, surgery or staying in a hospital; 16% missed at least one full day in school. The injury incidence rate increases with age among boys but not among girls. The proportion with more than one injury increases by age among girls but not boys. The proportion who receive hospital treatment is higher among boys than girls. The proportion who stay home from school because of the injury increases with age among both girls and boys. Five percent are injured at home, 5% at school, 9% are injured at a sport facility, and 4% in the street/road. Ten percent report a sports injury, 4% an injury by falling, and 3% by riding a bicycle. Most common injuries are sprain/strain/pull of a muscle (9%), broken or dislocated bone (6%), and cuts (3%). In conclusion, the incidence of self-reported injuries is much higher than the hospital-reported. More research about injury-mechanisms and more preventive efforts are needed.