School-based program for injury prevention and safety promotion in Ismailia City, Egypt

Abstract EN

Objectives : To determine the pattern, risk factors, and consequences of injuries among school children, and to implement an injury control program in preparatory school in Ismailia city and to evaluate its impact on the knowledge and behavior of the students.

Design : Cross-sectional school-based study of selected preparatory school in Ismailia city, followed by a cohort prospective school-based study to implement injury control program and to evaluate its impact.

Methodology : Standard form was employed to address personal and demographic characteristics of the recruited students.

Data were gathered also on injuries that needed medical care or caused activity restriction during the last year.

Educational and training program targeting school children was developed and implemented in the chosen school, aiming at improving students’ knowledge about injury prevention and first aid for injuries.

The program included series of lectures, posters, video-presentations and practical injury first aid training program.

The study was implemented in April 2005 by a collaborative team from the Suez Canal University, Ministry of Health & Population and the school staff members.

Results : The study included 197 pupils, 77 males and 120 females, with a mean age of 13.16 + 1.61 years.

Incidence of injuries among school children was 35.5 %, and males were at a higher risk of injury (RR : 2.55 [1.80-3.61], p < 0.0000).

The most common external causes of injuries sustained by the children were tails (44 %), drowning (16 %), poisoning (13 %), road traffic injuries (11 %) and violence (11 %).

Most injuries occurred in the streets, playgrounds, and at home.

Gender played significant role in determining the nature and place of injuries.

The study showed that school children are exposed to high risk of injury due to the insufficient safety measures at school, streets and at home.

Furthermore, the study revealed that corporal punishment is a common practice both in school and at home.

Pupils showed significant lack of knowledge concerning causes, risk factors, prevention, and first aid for injuries.

Children knowledge about first aid management for the different injuries was generally law as only 35 % to 60 % of the pupils know the proper knowledge.

This level improved to 78-93 % after the training program.

Conclusions : There is great need for safety promotion program for injury prevention and for injury first aid training and should include improvement of safety measures at schools and at home.

Organized program for parents and teachers to prevent corporal punishment at school and home is greatly needed.