School accidents as a public health issue: epidemiological profile and impacts on childhood
Synopsis
Accidents are one of the leading causes of death among children and young people, with high rates of morbidity and mortality, particularly among those aged 5 to 19. In Portugal, more than 6500 deaths occurred between 1992 and 2020. Objectives: Analyse the epidemiological profile of school accidents that occurred during the 2024/2025 academic year in the Vale do Sousa Sul region. Methodology: This study analysed school accidents reported during the 2024/2025 academic year, using data from 103 schools and 20243 pupils, as recorded in the School and Pre-school Accident Record Form. The data were analysed using SPSS software, with a focus on descriptive statistics to characterise the epidemiological profile of the accidents. Results: In the 2024/2025 academic year, the accident rate ranged from 2,8 to 13,5 per 100 pupils. The highest incidence was among boys, particularly in primary school. Falls, particularly ‘other falls’, and collisions with objects or people were the most common causes of accidents. The distribution of accidents varied between school clusters, indicating the influence of contextual and organisational factors. Conclusions: School accidents can be prevented through specific strategies, such as improvements to facilities and educational programmes; it is essential to tailor these measures to the specific characteristics of each school.
