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Unintentional injuries in school-aged children and adolescents: Lessons from a systematic review of cohort studies

Mytton, Julie; Towner, Elizabeth; Brussoni, Mariana; Gray, Selena

Authors

Elizabeth Towner

Mariana Brussoni



Abstract

Objectives: To critically synthesise current knowledge of the patterns of injuries and risk factors for injury in school-aged children, to summarise the evidence and support effective child injury prevention initiatives. Design: Systematic review. Selection criteria and methods: Prospective cohort studies reporting unintentional injuries in healthy children aged 5-18 years were identified by searching 15 electronic databases and additional grey literature sources. A narrative synthesis was conducted of papers meeting quality criteria, with risk factors analysed at individual, family and environmental levels. Limitations of existing evidence were considered. Results: 44 papers from 18 different cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. There were broad and consistent patterns of injury across time and place. Male sex, psychological, behavioural and risk-taking behaviour problems, having a large number of siblings, and a young mother were all associated with increased injury occurrence across more than one cohort and setting. Conclusions: Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for injury were derived from prospective cohort studies, but few studies used the full potential of their design. Opportunities to use repeated measures to assess temporal changes in injury occurrence, and the exploration of risk factors, particularly those related to the child's environment, have rarely been undertaken. Few studies were conducted in low/middle-income countries where the burden of injury is greatest. These findings should be considered when planning future research and prevention initiatives.

Citation

Mytton, J., Towner, E., Brussoni, M., & Gray, S. (2009). Unintentional injuries in school-aged children and adolescents: Lessons from a systematic review of cohort studies. Injury Prevention, 15(2), 111-124. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2008.019471

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2009
Journal Injury Prevention
Print ISSN 1353-8047
Electronic ISSN 1475-5785
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 2
Pages 111-124
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2008.019471
Keywords unintentional injury, school-aged children, adolescents
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/997270
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2008.019471