Accident Injuries and Related Factors in Iranian Adolescent Girls

Background: The incidence of accidents, its types and leading causes are largely varied in different communities and within different ages. This survey investigated the incidence and types of injury after accidents in adolescent girls with regard to the parents’ socio-economic status, schooling and health-related behaviors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 8159 high school girl aged 11-19 years, using a self-administered questionnaire. Demographic information, parents’ socioeconomic status, schooling and health-related behaviors, any accident causing the student to seek medical care during the year before the time of completing the questionnaire, the place, the cause and the body area injured in the accident were asked by single item scales. Results: The annual incidence of injury was about 4.4%. Of the total accidents, the most common type was car accident (45%). The most common affected body sites were legs (25.7%) and hands (%18.7); the most common place besides streets (31%) where the accidents happened was home (%19). Multivariate logistic regression revealed higher chances of injury among urban residences, those with lower school grades, those exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, and those who spend more time with friends (P<0.05 for all). Conclusion: The findings suggested that accidents among adolescent girls are affected by different aspects of life, most of which being modifiable. Most accidents can be prevented if appropriate strategies and intervention programs are applied. For example, providing safer streets, homes and environment and public education are possibly the most effective measures