Karolinska Institutet, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine

Abstract

The study examines patterns in recess injuries among Swedish school pupils. Data were gathered from an injury register created during the school year 1996/97, with the help of 79 schools and using a standardized registration form. A total of 140 injuries to pupils were incurred during recesses (but not in relation to sports), in the school yard and elsewhere. Injury patterns were identified by a cluster analysis of the coded values of five injury descriptors: injury mechanism, causal agent of the injury, type of injury, part of the body injured, body posture/movement at the time of the injury. The cases are dominated by collisions/blows/ and shoves, with injuries to the head/face as outcomes. An adult was present in most cases. In a third of cases, the ground surface or another person was judged to be the causal agent of the injury. In 40% 0f cases, the pupil was running, jumping; in one in five cases, he or she was standing/sitting. THree main patterns were identified: 1. head injuries from collision with other pupil or object; 2. leg or foot injuries from fall or collison/blow/shove; 3. leg or foot injuries from fall during climbing. A significant association was found between injury pattern and gender as well as "intentionality"; the assocaiton between injury pattern and and type of school or type of municipality was not significant. The findings shed light on the circumstances under which school injuries are incurred during recesses. They suggest a number of target situations for injury prevention and safety promotion. The extent to which the findings are generalizable is uncertain.

Keywords

School injuries, Recess, Falls, Injury patterns

Contact

Laflamme Lucie

Institution

Karolinska Institutet, Department of Public Health Sciences,

Division of Social Medicine

Postaddress

Norrbacka

City

SE-171 76 Stockholm

Country

Sweden

E-mail

lucie.laflamme@phs.ki.se

Phone

+46 8 517 779 27

Fax

+46 8 517 779 30