Epidemiologic Characteristics of Injured School-age Patients Transported via Emergency Medical Services in Korea

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of injuries of school-aged children transported via emergency medical services (EMS) that occurred in schools by comparing with injuries that occurred outside of school.MethodsData from the 119 EMS from 2012 to 2014 were analyzed. School and non-school injuries were analyzed in children 6 to 17 years of age. The epidemiologic characteristics were assessed according to school-age groups; low-grade primary (6–8 years), high-grade primary (9–13 years), middle (13–15 years) and high (15–17 years) school. Gender-stratified multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the risks of school injury in each age group.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 167,104 children with injury were transported via 119 ambulances. Of these injuries, 13.3% occurred at schools. Boys accounted for 76.9% of school injuries and middle school children accounted for a significantly greater proportion (39.6%) of school injuries (P < 0.001). The most frequent mechanisms of injury at school were falls (43.8%). The peak times for school injury occurrence were lunch time (13:00–13:59) in all age groups. Multivariate regression identified the risky age groups as high-grade primary (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.20) and middle school-aged boys (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.74–1.90) and middle school-aged girls (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.21–1.40).ConclusionNotable epidemiologic differences exist between in- and out-of-school injuries. The age groups at risk for school injuries differ by gender.

The influence of behavioural and socioeconomic factors on the community injury rates of adolescents assessed by the south Korean emergency medical services: an ecological approach

“…In general, people with low SES and those with more severe injuries tend to use the EMS. [23] The IRI-EMS might be lower than the total incidence of injury. Therefore, our findings cannot be extrapolated to all injured patients.…”

“…Each provincial EMS headquarters completes the EMS run sheet, which is entered into an electronic database stored in the National Fire Agency information system. [23] The injury incidence rates were calculated for each region using the addresses of the patients recorded in the EMS database. We also used the physical address documented in the EMS for where the injury occurred.…”

Adolescent school injuries and classroom sex compositions in German secondary schools

“…School injuries are a key public health problem (1-5). Injuries are the leading cause of adolescent mortality (6)(7)(8)(9), and even non-fatal injuries have several detriments, such as temporary or permanent disabilities (3,(10)(11)(12). These consequences entail a deterioration in well-being and an increase in school absenteeism, potentially lowering academic achievement of affected students (3,(13)(14)(15).…”

“…Schools have long been considered safe environments for students, but they are now recognized as the site for a substantial number of injuries. Studies reveal that about 25% of all injuries to children under the age of 17 occur at school (5,9,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”

“…For Germany, the social accident insurance reports that in 2019, a total of 1.17 million school injuries required medical treatment (1). Adolescent students are particularly vulnerable to school injuries, compared to both older and younger students (3,9,20,21). A recent review estimates that school injuries account for approximately 30% of all injuries among adolescents (ages [14][15], only second to leisure-related injuries, but exceeding those sustained in road accidents or at home (22).…”