The Status and Magnitude of Fall-Related Injuries in High Schools in Kenya

Abstract

An accident is an unintended happening, sometimes resulting from negligence that may result in injury, loss of life or damage to property. Accidents are especially common among children within home or school environments. Schools are supposed to be safe centers of academic and exercise for children of all ages. However, in some cases, accidents cannot be avoided and children can be hurt. Accidents are also costly to schools due to insurance premiums and litigations. It is therefore important for us to understand the types and magnitude of accidents students may face. Equally important are the legal and financial implications that accidents may add to school authorities. This study was conducted to establish the major causes of injuries and the potential liabilities among the high school students in Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was carried out, where a total of 137, 778 students in 287 high schools were disproportionally selected from all the eight provinces in Kenya to provide the data. The schools’ principals, nurses and other healthcare personnel from the selected schools were also interviewed and requested to provide health records with the information on injury occurrence among their students. The study established that District schools had the highest number of injuries (4.24 in every 100 students) per year though there was no significant difference between the category of school and rates of injury occurrence (χ2 = 0.066; df =3; p>0.05). However there was significant statistical difference in mean number of injuries between boys and girls (t = 4.34; df =3; p<0.05). The study recommends evaluation of the implementation of safety policy and general safety management structures in schools in order to cope effectively with injury challenges in the twenty first century.