Prevalence and associated factors of serious unintentional physical injury, road traffic injury and near drowning experience among a nationally representative sample of school-aged adolescents in the Philippines in 2019

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to report on the frequency and correlates of serious unintentional physical injury (SPI), road traffic injury, and near drowning experience as well as the mediation of exposure to interpersonal violence in the relationship between substance use and SPI among adolescents in Philippines in 2019.

Method: The 2019 Philippines Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), a nationally representative survey of teenagers aged 11 to 18 (mean age 13.8 years, Standard Deviation-SD=1.5) that used a multistage sampling technique, provided the study's data. In order to determine the variables associated with past 12-month SPI, road traffic injury and near drowning experience, the study used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis as well as causal mediation of interpersonal violence exposure in the relationship between substance use and SPI.

Results: Regression results showed that male sex, food insecurity, psychological distress, suicide attempt, current drug use, bullying victimization, current alcohol use, and school truancy were positively associated with SPI and road traffic injury. Furthermore, soft drink intake, and fast-food consumption were positively associated, and being 15 to 18 years-old and higher parental support were negatively associated with SPI and with near drowning experience, and not aways wearing a seatbelt was associated with road traffic injury. In addition, being religious or spiritual, psychological distress, suicide attempt, current drug use, bullying victimization, and current alcohol use were associated with near drowning experience. Causal mediation analyses found a significant indirect effect of substance use (explaining 5.9 %) on serious injury count via types of bullied, a significant indirect effect of substance use (explaining 42.8 %) on serious injury count via physically attacked counts, and a significant indirect effect of substance use (explaining 54.5 %) on serious injury count via in physical fights counts.

Conclusion: Almost half of participants had a SPI and more than one in three had experienced near drowning. Various sociodemographic, protective, and psychosocial associated factors were identified, which can assist in targeting injury prevention among adolescents in the Philippines.

Keywords: Adolescents; Non-fatal drowning; Road traffic injury; Serious physical injury.