Injuries at school. Influence of schoolmate interaction.

One quarter of all injuries in children of school age occur at school. In order to analyse the importance of schoolmate interactions and unsatisfactory schoolmate relationships for the occurrence of injuries at school a case-control study was carried out in 1986 in the comprehensive schools of Linköping. Fifty injured students and 50 controls, matched by grade and sex, were interviewed. Sixty-six percent of all injuries occurred during time not organized by the teachers. In 36% the situation was characterized by brawling or chasing. Injured students demonstrated significantly more often unsatisfactory relationships with schoolmates. In the age group at highest risk (11-13 years) differences between injured and controls were most apparent. Student proposals to prevent injuries most commonly concerned brawling during breaks. The study indicates that interaction between schoolmates and unsatisfactory schoolmate relationships are important determinants of risk of injury at school.