Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates for serious injury among adolescents participating in the Djibouti 2007 Global School-based Health Survey

Abstract

BackgroundMental health and injury are neglected public health issues especially in low-income nations. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates for serious injury in the last 12 months.FindingsThe study used data of the 2007 Djibouti Global School-based Health Survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish associations. Of the 1, 777 respondents, 61.1% (63.2% males and 57.8% females) reported having sustained serious injury (SSI). Compared to participants who were not bullied, those who reported being bullied 3-9 days per month were more likely to have sustained serious injury in the last 12 months (AOR = 1.27; 95% CI [1.06, 1.52] for 3-5 days of bullying victimization per month, and AOR = 3.19; 95% CI [2.28, 4.47] for 6-9 days per month. Adolescents who were engaged in physical fighting were 47% (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI [1.40, 1.55] more likely to have sustained serious injury compared to those who were not engaged in the fighting. Meanwhile, adolescents who used substances (cigarettes, other forms of tobacco or drugs) were 30% (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.19, 1.42]) more likely to have sustained serious injury compared to those who did not use substances.ConclusionsSerious injury is common among adolescents in Djibouti, and we suggest that health workers attending to injured adolescents explore the patients' psycho-social environment. Further, we suggest longitudinal studies where reduction of substance use and bullying may be assessed if they have an impact in reducing serious injury among adolescents.

Injury-Related Profiles among School-Aged Children in Cameroon: Analysis Based on the “First Survey—Health Young People”

“…We have observed that boys had significantly higher injury proportion than girls and that the injury rate decreased when age increased. These observations were a constant in all studies regardless the localizations of these studies [7] [34]. These results may reflect, according to Wilson [35] and colleagues, societal norms where boys are allowed more freedom than girls to explore their environments.…”

“…Finally, these data can help to identify the injuries that were not medically treated because it is known that even "small accidents" carry information towards a better prevention [15]- [17]. Based on the fact that Peltzer [13] and colleagues have found a large range in terms of variations of the injury's prevalence (from 38.6% in Swaziland to 71.5% in Zambia), we are in accordance with Muula [7] and colleagues which reported that each country needs to document the epidemiology of its injuries. Next to this, Pickett [18] and colleagues have shown, based on the analyses of the data from some countries participating to the Health Behavior in School-aged Children Study, that there was a link between injuries and (multiple) risk behavior.…”

“…It is the same observations in a Chinese cohort of students, for Zhou, Chen and Dong [44] which found an association with alcohol consumption but also with the trying smoking behavior. Muula [7] and colleagues, in their study based on the data of the Djibouti Global School-based Health Survey, found that adolescents who smoke cigarettes were more likely to report injuries. Sindelar, Barnett and Spirito [45] have demonstrated in their review on adolescent alcohol use and injury that alcohol-positive adolescents are more likely than alcohol-negative adolescents to be injured, require trauma service care and have injury complications.…”

“…At the best of our knowledge, a small number of studies have investigated the problem based on population data. Peltzer [13] and colleagues have studied injury and social determinants among in-school adolescents in six African countries (Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe); Muula [7] and colleagues have studied socio-demographic correlates for serious injury among adolescents participating in the Djibouti Global School-based Health Survey; whereas Flisher [14] and colleagues have investigated injury-related behavior among South African high-school students. Finally, these data can help to identify the injuries that were not medically treated because it is known that even "small accidents" carry information towards a better prevention [15]- [17].…”

“…So, next to this high mortality fairly well documented, there is also a significant morbidity for which there is a lack of information [1] [3]- [6]. Furthermore, information regarding the epidemiology of injury in Africa is sparse and availability of data on children and young people are extremely limited [2] [3] [6] [7]. Moreover, the majority of these studies were usually based on hospital data; such data may provide information on the type and severity of injuries, but they contain little information on associated factors [1] [2] [4] [6] [8]- [11].…”