Abstract
Introduction Injuries are of public health concern and the leading cause of residual disability and death among teenagers, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Ghana, the burden of injury among adolescents is under-reported. Hence, the study sought to determine the prevalence of serious injuries (SI) and the potential factors influencing these injuries among school children in Ghana. Methods This study was conducted in Ghana among Junior High School (JHS) and senior high school students (SHS) using the 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) data. The GSHS employed two-stage cluster sampling method. Serious injuries (SI) and independent factors were measured via self-administered questionnaires. Pearson chi-square test between each explanatory variable and serious injuries was conducted and the level of statistical significance was set at 5%. The significant variables from the chi-square test were selected for multiple logistic regression analysis. Multiple logistic regression was performed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The prevalence of SI in the past 12 months was 66% [CI=61.8–70.2] . The most common cause of SI was fall, 36%. The common types of injuries were cut/stab wounds and broken/dislocated bone. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, after controlling for other variables, educational level (AOR = 0.64, CI = 0.44–0.90, p < 0.015), suicidal ideation (AOR = 1.58, CI = 1.00–2.48, p < 0.002), suicidal attempt (AOR = 1.88, CI = 1.29–2.72, p < 0.001), having at least one close friend (AOR = 1.49, CI = 1.17–1.89, p < 0.002), school truancy (AOR = 1.66, CI = 1.31–2.09, p < 0.000), smoking marijuana (AOR = 2.64, CI = 1.22–5.69), and amphetamine use (AOR = 2.95, CI = 1.46–5.69) were independently associated with SI. Conclusion The findings of the study established a high prevalence of SI among adolescents in Ghana, with cut/stab wound and broken/dislocated bone being the most reported type of injuries. This study also revealed that factors such as educational level, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, at least one close friend, school truancy, smoking marijuana, and amphetamine use are associated with SI among the adolescents. Therefore, pragmatic interventional programs should be targeted at these factors to curb the rate of SI among junior and senior school students.
Highlights
Injuries are of public health concern and the leading cause of residual disability and death among those under 19 years, especially in low- and middle-income countries [1]
In sub-Saharan African (SSA), 250 million people are aged 10–19 years and this number is expected to increase by 24% by 2020 [3]; less attention is paid to adolescent injuries largely due to the greater attention devoted to widespread nutrition deficiencies and communicable diseases [4]. e estimated incidence of injuries for children is 53.1/100000 in SSA [4]
Study Design. e researchers utilized data from the 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS), Ghana version [13]. e GSHS is a school-based survey which uses a self-administered questionnaire. e survey obtained data on health behavior and risk factors associated with the principal cause of death and mortality among school children and young-adults globally. e GSHS was carried out by the WHO with assistance from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Middle Tennessee State University, and the Ghana Education Service (GES). e data were obtained using a cross-sectional survey design among WHO countries which were concerned in assessing the behavioral risk factors and protective factors among junior and senior high school students
Summary
Injuries are of public health concern and the leading cause of residual disability and death among those under 19 years, especially in low- and middle-income countries [1]. Global burden of disease estimated that 5.1 million deaths occurred from injuries in 2010, of which 12% are attributed to unintentional injuries among children and adolescents [2]. Prior epidemiological studies have indicated that injuries among adolescents have declined by 50% in developed countries such as Britain, US, Austria, and Canada over the past 30 years through “multisectored approach” to e Scientific World Journal prevention [1, 6]. Factors influencing serious injuries such as psychological, personal, and school environment factors have not been extensively studied among these targeted populations (adolescents attending school). Erefore, this study sought to assess and determine the prevalence of SI and its potential influencing factors among adolescents attending school in Ghana. is will aid in the development of preventive and monitoring strategies against serious injuries among adolescents in Ghana
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