Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To measure the incidence and age and sex distribution of self reported experience of injuries in the preceding 12 month period among a representative national sample of Scottish schoolchildren and to validate the findings against other data sources. DESIGN: Self completed questionnaire administered in schools, April-June 1994. SUBJECTS: 4710 pupils aged 11, 13, and 15 years drawn from a representative sample of 270 classes with returns from 224 classes (83.2% completion rate). OUTCOME MEASURES: Number, type, site, and severity of injuries reported. RESULTS: 41.9% of pupils reported a medically attended injury, with injury incidence significantly higher in boys than in girls. Using the abbreviated injury scale (maximum abbreviated injury score) one third of injuries were either moderate or severe. CONCLUSION: The incidence and distribution of self reported injury is consistent with estimates based on other data sources thus confirming the utility of this method of injury surveillance in this age group.