title: Features and risk factors of nonfatal injury among the rural children: a survey of seven schools in a mountain area in Southwest China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the patterns and risk factors of nonfatal injuries among rural mountain-area children in southwest China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified sampling method was used to recruit rural children aged 8 to 17 years (mainly 9-14 years) from 7 schools. Self-reported injuries during the past 12 months and relevant concerns were collected from June to December 2012 by using a structured questionnaire in a class interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 2,854 children was 12.2 ± 1.5 years. The probability of annual injury was 16.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 15.3-18.1%), with slightly higher injury risk for boys than girls (17.7% vs. 16.0%; P>0.05). The top 3 causes of injuries were falls (37.3%), animal-related incidents (20.6%), and burns (14.9%). The main injury risk factors included being involved in a violent episode (odds ratio [OR] 1.34, 95% CI 1.08-1.66, P = 0.007), maltreatment by parents or guardians (1.42, 1.17-1.72, P<0.001), and being from a single-child family (1.30, 1.10-1.66, P = 0.039). Older age was a protective factor (0.81, 0.76-0.87, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of nonfatal injury among rural children was high, and falls were the leading cause. Younger children and boys from poor-care and poor-living environments were at increased risk of injury, which requires urgent attention. Injury prevention programs targeting these issues are needed in this mountain area and similar rural regions of China.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Xiu-Quan
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zunyi City, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zunyi City, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Research and Policy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
authors.forename: Junxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Bo-Ling
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Li-Rong
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*