Epidemiology of children's cycling injuries in Ahwaz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

A one-year study was carried out in Ahwaz, Islamic Republic of Iran to investigate the epidemiology of children's cycling injuries. Children 15 years old or younger taken to the accident and emergency [‎A and E]‎ departments of all urban hospitals due to cycling injury were investigated, and their parents interviewed by questionnaire. During the study, 1079 children presented to A and E departments with cycling injuries [‎78.8% boys and 21.2% girls]‎, representing 4.9% of all children presenting with injuries. The most frequent injury sites were the street [‎51.9%]‎ and the home [‎42.3%]‎, and the head was the part of the body most frequently injured [‎55.0%]‎. None of the injured children was using a cycling helmet at the time of injury. This study suggests mandatory helmet use, safety regulations and educational programmes for bicycle riders should be established in our community