Risky Behaviors Leading to Unintentional Injuries among High School Students in Tehran, 2009

Unintentional injuries are multi-causal and highly reported among children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine risky behaviors leading to unintentional injuries among high school students in Tehran in 2009. From 237300 high school students (185151 in public and 52149 in private schools)، 727 students were selected using multistage randomized sampling. From 20 educational districts، eight districts were selected and were divided to three north، centre، and south areas. Data were gathered using the standard questionnaire of the CDC which had been validated in Iran. Participants were healthy students aged 12-18 years. Risky behaviors related to falling، burning، poisoning، and road traffic injuries were studied. The students aged 16. 8±1. 2 years. Overall، 44% of male students and 38% of female students were exposed to risky behaviors. Driving without having driving-license was more common among male students studying in public schools (p<0. 001). Motorcycling was more common among students studying in the high schools located in the south of Tehran (p<0. 001). Male students had more substance abuse، driving without driving-license، and motorcycling without using helmets (p<0. 001). Because of high prevalence of risky behaviors related to unintentional injuries، mainly among boys and those who live in more deprived areas، decision-makers should have population-based programs to decline risky behaviors.