Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract Background Unintentional injuries among adolescents constitute a significant public health problem globally. Injured adolescents may face negative outcomes ranging from poor academic performance to short- and long-term physical and psychosocial health struggles, and even death. The aim of t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13315-5 |
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| author | Kwaku Oppong Asante Henry K. Onyeaka Nuworza Kugbey Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie |
| author_facet | Kwaku Oppong Asante Henry K. Onyeaka Nuworza Kugbey Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie |
| author_sort | Kwaku Oppong Asante |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Unintentional injuries among adolescents constitute a significant public health problem globally. Injured adolescents may face negative outcomes ranging from poor academic performance to short- and long-term physical and psychosocial health struggles, and even death. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and describe the correlates and most frequent causes of injuries among school-going adolescents in three West African countries – Benin, Ghana, and Liberia. Methods We analysed self-reported data provided by 8,912 school-going adolescents who participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey in Ghana (2012), Benin (2016), and Liberia (2017). Students responded to questions on sociodemographic factors, family involvement factors, mental health factors, school environment factors and injury behaviours. Results The overall 12-month prevalence estimate of serious injuries in adolescents was 40.9% (Benin = 27.3%; Ghana = 46.1%; Liberia = 49.2%). The most frequently reported injury type was a broken bone or dislocated joint (33% in Benin), cuts or stab wounds (31.7% in Ghana), and non-specified injuries (35.2% in Liberia). Prevalence of serious injuries was higher among males and increased with age. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, interpersonal aggression outside the family context (bullying victimisation, engaging in physical fights, and having been physically attacked) emerged as key correlates of increased odds of serious injuries. Conclusion The relatively higher prevalence estimates of serious injury reported in this study underscore the need for the included countries to develop interventions aimed at reducing and preventing physical injuries among adolescents. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T02:44:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eed5e186ab4a4351ac247779b3fdbfda |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T02:44:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-eed5e186ab4a4351ac247779b3fdbfda2022-12-22T00:41:04ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-05-0122111110.1186/s12889-022-13315-5Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan AfricaKwaku Oppong Asante0Henry K. Onyeaka1Nuworza Kugbey2Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie3Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, University of GhanaDepartment of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/McleanUniversity of Environment and Sustainable DevelopmentDepartment of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, University of GhanaAbstract Background Unintentional injuries among adolescents constitute a significant public health problem globally. Injured adolescents may face negative outcomes ranging from poor academic performance to short- and long-term physical and psychosocial health struggles, and even death. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and describe the correlates and most frequent causes of injuries among school-going adolescents in three West African countries – Benin, Ghana, and Liberia. Methods We analysed self-reported data provided by 8,912 school-going adolescents who participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey in Ghana (2012), Benin (2016), and Liberia (2017). Students responded to questions on sociodemographic factors, family involvement factors, mental health factors, school environment factors and injury behaviours. Results The overall 12-month prevalence estimate of serious injuries in adolescents was 40.9% (Benin = 27.3%; Ghana = 46.1%; Liberia = 49.2%). The most frequently reported injury type was a broken bone or dislocated joint (33% in Benin), cuts or stab wounds (31.7% in Ghana), and non-specified injuries (35.2% in Liberia). Prevalence of serious injuries was higher among males and increased with age. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, interpersonal aggression outside the family context (bullying victimisation, engaging in physical fights, and having been physically attacked) emerged as key correlates of increased odds of serious injuries. Conclusion The relatively higher prevalence estimates of serious injury reported in this study underscore the need for the included countries to develop interventions aimed at reducing and preventing physical injuries among adolescents.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13315-5AdolescentsInjuriesTraumaSchool healthUnintentional injuriesWest Africa |
| spellingShingle | Kwaku Oppong Asante Henry K. Onyeaka Nuworza Kugbey Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa BMC Public Health Adolescents Injuries Trauma School health Unintentional injuries West Africa |
| title | Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full | Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_fullStr | Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_short | Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_sort | self reported injuries and correlates among school going adolescents in three countries in western sub saharan africa |
| topic | Adolescents Injuries Trauma School health Unintentional injuries West Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13315-5 |
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