Accident injuries of children and adolescents in Germany. Results of the cross-sectional KiGGS Wave 2 study and trends

For children and adolescents, accidents represent an important health risk. Despite decreasing mortality rates, accidental (unintended) injuries remain the most common cause of death for children over the age of one in Germany. Accident injuries can cause considerable and lasting damage on health and development. The possible major implications as well as the potential to prevent accident injuries underline the importance of accident prevention. The German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) collects data on unintentional child injuries at regular intervals. Results of the second follow-up survey (KiGGS Wave 2, 2014-2017) show that during the past twelve months 16.5% of children and adolescents aged between 1 and 17 received medical treatment following an accident. Boys suffer injuries from accidents significantly more often than girls (18.6% vs. 14.3%). While the prevalences for older children and adolescents tend to be higher, age generally has little impact on accident rates. Compared to the two previous waves of KiGGS, the prevalences of accident injuries have remained stable.

Accident injuries of adults in Germany

In 2014, according to estimates by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), around 9.8 million people in Germany suffered accident injuries. Over 22,000 people died. Federal statistics, however, cannot comprehensively describe accidents in Germany. Here, the Robert Koch Institute health surveys provide an important addition. In the GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS survey, 10.5% of men and 6.9% of women reported that they had suffered accident injuries requiring medical treatment during the past 12 months. Young men aged 18 to 29 have the highest accident risk (18.1%). The overall accident injury figures have hardly changed since the previous GEDA 2012 survey. Preventing accidents is a highly important topic not only for the victims of accidents and their families, but also for society as a whole. According to the World Health Organization, a largely untapped potential for accident prevention remains.

Fatal domestic accident from a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery explosion as seen in lagos state university teaching hospital, ikeja, lagos, Nigeria

OBJECTIVE

To illustrate the danger of wrong disposal of used dry-cell batteries in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHOD

Information was extracted from the case notes of a patient who died following the explosion of a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery. No post-mortem was performed because the death certificate was inadvertently issued and the body was buried hurriedly according to Islamic rites.

RESULTS

A 53% burn involving the face, upper arm, trunk, and thigh was found on examination, in addition to inhalation injuries.

CONCLUSION

Dry-cell batteries are highly explosive when heated. There is a need to educate the populace about their explosive nature and to keep batteries away from children.