A prospective population based study of childhood injuries: the Velestino town study
Eleni Petridou1, Anastasia Anastasiou, Konstantinos Katsiardanis
1Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Athens University Medical School, Greece. epetrid@med.uoa.gr
Insights
Unintentional childhood injuries are common, with about 28% of children injured annually. Family factors like parental age and education are key risks, not physical characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Unintentional childhood injuries pose a significant public health challenge.
- Estimating injury incidence and identifying risk factors is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the incidence of all unintentional childhood injuries.
- To document non-transient risk factors associated with these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, population-based study in a Greek town.
- Monitored 748 children (0-14 years) over 12 months.
- Data collected from healthcare, educational, police, and hospital sources.
Main Results:
- Overall injury incidence: 28.2 per 100 person-years.
- Higher incidence in boys, especially older children.
- Falls (approx. 50%) and cuts (approx. 20%) were primary causes.
- Younger paternal age, lower parental education, and family injury history increased risk.
- No association found between somatometric characteristics and injury risk.
Conclusions:
- Childhood injuries represent a substantial health burden.
- Family-related variables are significant risk factors.
- Somatometric characteristics play a minimal role in childhood injury risk.
Background:
Unintentional injuries in childhood constitute a significant public health problem. Our purpose is to estimate the incidence of identifiable unintentional childhood injuries of any type and severity, and to document risk factors of non-transient nature.
Methods:
We have undertaken a prospective population-based investigation in a Greek town with a population of 748 children (0-14 years old). All identifiable injuries have been monitored during a twelve-month period through information provided by the health care outlets or educational institutions as well as the police station and the regional hospital.
Results:
The overall incidence was 28.2 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval from 24.4 to 32.0), whereas the incidence of injuries with Hopkins Injury Severity Score equal to or higher than four was 6.3 with 95% confidence interval 4.5 to 8.1. The incidence of total injuries was higher among boys than among girls (p<0.01) and the gender difference was particularly evident among older children. Almost half of the injuries were due to falls and more than 20% were due to cutting. Children of younger and less educated parents have higher risk for injury and children from families with more injuries were more likely to be injured themselves. There was no evidence that somatometric characteristics were associated with injury risk.
Conclusion:
The incidence of unintentional childhood injuries is high and represents a considerable health burden. Family related variables are important risk factors for childhood injuries, whereas somatometric characteristics play a minimal role.
Key Points:
Incidence and risk factors of all injuries in a population-based study among children. About 28 per 100 children got injured over a period of one year. There is evidence that younger paternal age and lower education may be associated with increased injury risk. Family related variables seem to be important risk factors for childhood injuries, whereas somatometric characteristics play minimal role.
