Comparison of Intentional and Unintentional Injuries Among Chinese Children and Adolescents

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Abstract
Background The patterns and risk factors of intentional injuries compared to unintentional injuries among Chinese children and adolescents have not been examined in depth. This work comprehensively describes patterns of intentional injuries in China, for which little information has been previously published.Methods All cases involving individuals 0-17 years old registered at emergency rooms and outpatient clinics were examined using data submitted to the National Injury Surveillance System from 2006 to 2017. A logistic regression model was performed to explore the risk factors related to intentional injuries compared to unintentional injuries.Results A total of 81459(95.1%) unintentional injuries, 4218 (4.9%) intentional injuries (4013 violent attacks and 205 self-mutilation/suicide) cases were identified. Blunt injuries accounted for 59.4% of violent attacks, while cuts and poisoning accounted for 37.1% and 23.4% of injuries involving self-mutilation/suicide, respectively. For unintentional injuries, falls (50.4%) ranked first. Additional risk factors for intentional injuries included being male [odds ratio (OR) =1.6], coming from rural areas (OR=1.9), being staff or workers (OR=2.2) and being a student (OR=1.8). As the age of the patients increased, so did the risk of intentional injuries (OR=5.0 in the 15-17 age group). Intentional injuries were more likely to occur at 00:00 - 03:00 am (OR=2.0).Conclusions Intentional injuries affected more males, rural and older children, school students and staff or workers. The mechanisms and occurrence times differed according to different age groups. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the dropout of rural students, strengthen the school's violence prevention plan and reduce self-harm.

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