Intentional and unintentional injuries in adolescents admitted in medical emergency services

Authors

  • Yadira Alvarez Rigual Hospital Pediatrico "Juan Manuel Marquez"
  • Felipa Elena García García
  • Laritza Pacheco Torres

Keywords:

Adolescents, unintentional injuries, child abuse, risky behaviors, negligence.

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, most adolescent’s health problems are the result of risky behaviors, almost always at home.

Objective: Assess the elements that cause intentional and unintentional injuries in adolescents.

Methods: Descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study carried out at "Juan Manuel Márquez" Pediatric hospital from August 2016 to January 2017 in injured adolescents admitted in emergency services. The variables studied were: sex, age group, type of abuse, place of occurrence, evolution of the patient in the emergency service, sex of the assailant and relationship with the adolescent. Conventional statistical techniques were used for information processing.

Results: 171 adolescents were studied. The female sex predominated at ages from 15 to 18 years. Adult maltreatment prevailed by 90.1%; 52.6 % of the abuses occurred at home. 63.1 % of those injured needed hospital admission and two died of unintentional injuries. The assailants were mostly (60.8 %) female relatives of the adolescent.

Conclusions: Intentional and unintentional injuries in adolescence are situations that demand care from the family in charge of the child. The negligence of the adult at home, especially female figures, who in high percentage are relatives of the child, is the predominant element as a type of abuse that causes injuries in the adolescent and constitutes the most common cause of hospital admissions in this age group.

 

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Published

2021-04-10

How to Cite

1.
Alvarez Rigual Y, García García FE, Pacheco Torres L. Intentional and unintentional injuries in adolescents admitted in medical emergency services. Rev Cubana Pediatría [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 10 [cited 2025 Jun. 22];93(2). Available from: https://revpediatria.sld.cu/index.php/ped/article/view/1134

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