This study aimed to assess the incidence of unintentional injuries
presented in general practice, and to identify children at risk from
experiencing an unintentional injury. We used the data of all
0-17-year-old children from a representative survey in 96 Dutch general
practices in 2001. We computed incidence rates and multilevel multivariate
regression analysis in different age strata and identified patient and
family characteristics associated with an elevated injury risk. Nine
thousand four hundred and eighty-four new injury episodes were identified
from 105 353 new health problems presented in general practice, giving an
overall incidence rate of 115 per 1000 person years (95% confidence
interval [CI] = 113 to 118). Sex and residence in rural areas are strong
predictors of injury in all age strata. Also, in children aged 0-4 years,
a higher number of siblings is associated with elevated injury risk (> or
=3 siblings odds ratio [OR] = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.08) and in the
12-17-year-olds, ethnic background and socioeconomic class are associated
with experiencing an injury (non-western children OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.54
to 0.81; low socioeconomic class OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.22 to 1.58).
Unintentional injury is a significant health problem in children in
general practice, accounting for 9% of all new health problems in
children. In all age groups, boys in rural areas are especially at risk to
experience an injury