[01] Altheeb A. A. S., School and Educational Institutions Health Unit, Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [02] Hussein H., School and Educational Institutions Health Unit, Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [03] Al Faisal W., School and Educational Institutions Health Unit, Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [04] Wasfy A., Statistics and Research Department, Ministry of Health, Dubai, UAE. [05] Al Behandy N. S., School and Educational Institutions Health Unit, Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [06] Alshareef N., School and Educational Institutions Health Unit, Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE.

Background: Child injuries are an important public health and development issue. According to a recent report by WHO and UNICEF, more than 2000 child die each day as a result of unintentional or accidental injuries. Objectives: To study the epidemiological features and risk factors of injuries among student at private schools in Dubai. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted on students of grades 7 – 12, both males and females in Dubai’s private schools. The minimal sample size is 1000 student. Multistage stratified random sample with proportional allocation was carried out. The stratification was based upon regions (Deira and Bur Dubai), and gender (male and female). The data was collected from students by a pilot study tested self administered questionnaire composed of 32 items. Results: It demonstrates that most injuries happened due to falls (62%) followed by cuts (13%) and least involved cause (1%) was accidental poisoning. It revealed that most of the injuries (36%) occurred due to school safety measures and least (10%) due to student’s exhaustion. By noticing the association between injury severity and age it’s apparent that each age group is having the mild injury as the most common one than moderate and severe. For the association between injury severity and sex, it was seen that in both sex the most dominant type of injury was the mild injury about 89.6% in male and 86.8% in females. On the other hand, the severe injury was the least pronounced one in both sex forming 15% in male and 6% in females. As per the nationality association with the injury type, it can be noticed that both nationalities have the mild injuries the most common one, 90.3% in UAE nationals and 88.4% in non-UAE nationals. Conclusions: School related unintentional injuries reflected and highlighted an important issue that must be considered carefully, especially among preparatory grades students as this age group has unique life style characteristics. Unintentional injuries could be the result of several factors.

Epidemiological Features, Risks, Accidental Injuries, Schools, Dubai

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