A Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Profile of Injury Typology Amongst Nova Scotian Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Injuries have been the leading cause of death amongst Canadian children and youth for several years. There is a lack of understanding of whether specific injury patterns exist in adolescents. This project aims to address this topic through the creation of an injury typology among Nova Scotia adolescents. Objectives: 1. Determine if patterns exist across mechanisms of injury among Nova Scotian high school students. 2. Determine if there are individual characteristics that are associated with any injury subgroups. Methods: Using data from the Health Behaviour Supplement, a cluster analysis was performed to address the first objective. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were applied to evaluate cluster membership. Results: Six clusters were identified: Poly Injury; Roughnecks; Sport-Oriented; Scrappers; Bleeding-Oriented; and Injury Free. Several associations between covariates and cluster membership were found. Future Implications: The clusters identified contribute to our understanding of adolescent involvement in injury and related injury patterns.