One year's incidence of school accidents and their severity in a Swedish municipality

The aim of this one-year investigation of school accidents was to determine the incidence and severity and to calculate the proportion of school accident cases in relation to all accident cases and to estimate their medical care consumption. All patients were interviewed. The degree of severity was evaluated according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Case-histories and X-ray reports were examined. School accidents constituted five per cent of all accidents in the whole population (including grown ups). In the age group 7-19 years 30% of all accidents were school accidents. One fourth was relatively severe. Our estimations assume that school accidents constitute 5-10% of the total consumption of medical care in the age group. In conclusion, school accidents constitute an important group with regard to incidence and severity. Preventive measures should be targeted towards activities during sports hours and breaks.