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. 2023 Feb;43(2):98-102.
doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.43.2.05.

Injuries among Canadian children and youth: an analysis using the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth

[Article in English, French]
Chinchin Wang  1 , Stephanie Toigo  1 , Sarah Zutrauen  1 , Steven R McFaull  1 , Wendy Thompson  1
Affiliations

Injuries among Canadian children and youth: an analysis using the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth

[Article in English, French]
Chinchin Wang et al. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2023 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

This work provides an overview of injury patterns in Canadian children and youth aged 1 to 17 years. Self-reported data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth were used to calculate estimates for the percentage of Canadian children and youth who experienced a head injury or concussion, broken bone or fracture, or serious cut or puncture within the last 12 months, overall and by sex and age group. Head injuries and concussions (4.0%) were the most commonly reported, but the least likely to be seen by a medical professional. Injuries most frequently occurred while engaging in sports, physical activity or playing.

Cet article fournit un aperçu des profils de blessures subies par les enfants et les jeunes canadiens de 1 à 17 ans. Les données autodéclarées tirées de l’Enquête canadienne sur la santé des enfants et des jeunes (ECSEJ) de 2019 ont servi à calculer les estimations du pourcentage d’enfants et de jeunes canadiens qui ont subi un traumatisme crânien ou une commotion cérébrale, une fracture ou une fêlure ou encore une coupure ou une perforation grave au cours des 12 derniers mois, en général et selon le sexe et le groupe d’âge. Les traumatismes crâniens et les commotions cérébrales (4,0 %) sont les blessures les plus fréquemment déclarées, mais les moins susceptibles d’être évaluées par un professionnel de la santé. Les blessures ont lieu le plus souvent lors de la pratique d’un sport, d’une activité physique ou d’un jeu.

Keywords: children; concusions; fractures; head injuries; punctures; unintentional injuries; youth.

Plain language summary

Overall, head injuries or concussions were the most commonly reported injury (4.0%), among the types of injuries surveyed. Serious cuts and punctures were most common among young children (aged 1 to 4 years), fractures were most common among children aged 10 to 14 years and head injuries or concussions were most common in youth aged 15 to 17 years. The most common activities that children and youth were partaking in when the injury occurred were playing and engaging in sports or physical activity. The majority of self-reported injuries led to a consultation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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