Recreational injury and its relation to socioeconomic status among school aged children in the US.

OBJECTIVES This study described epidemiologic patterns of recreational injuries among school aged children in the US and assessed the relation of these patterns to socioeconomic status. METHODS Combined data from the 1997-98 National Health Interview Surveys for 38 458 children aged 6-17 years regarding non-fatal recreational injury episodes that received medical attention, reported by a household adult, were analysed. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between recreational injury and socioeconomic status while controlling for confounding factors. RESULTS The annualized rate of recreational injury was 91.2 episodes per 1,000 children, with an increased risk associated with a higher family income status or being non-Hispanic white. For children from not poor families, most injury episodes occurred in sport facilities, whereas for children from poor and near poor families, most occurred outside the home. CONCLUSION Recreational injury is a significant health problem for school aged children in the US. Non-Hispanic white children and children from affluent families are at increased risk of recreational injury.