An Empirical Study of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Water-Related Injuries among In-School Adolescents in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ogun State Nigeria

Water-related injuries constitute an emerging public health concern among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where unsafe water environments, flooding, poor supervision, and inadequate water safety education increase vulnerability. Adolescents are frequently exposed to rivers, streams, wells, drainage channels, and flooded environments during domestic, recreational, and school-related activities. Despite the growing burden of water-related injuries in Nigeria, evidence from school-based studies remains limited. This study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of water-related injuries among in-school adolescents in Ijebu North Local Government Area (INLG), Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 in-school adolescents aged 10–19 years selected through multistage cluster sampling from three public secondary schools in Ijebu North Local Government Area. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and patterns of water-related injuries, environmental and behavioral risk factors, and safety practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to determine associations between variables at p<0.05. The 3-month prevalence of water-related injuries among respondents was 64.8%. Common injuries reported included slips and falls near water sources (42.0%), cuts and lacerations sustained during water-related activities (35.2%), near-drowning incidents (18.4%), burns from hot water (14.8%), and water transport-related injuries (9.6%). Male adolescents reported a higher prevalence of water-related injuries (68.5%) than females (60.6%). Significant predictors of water-related injuries included exposure to flooded environments (AOR=3.214; 95% CI:1.761–5.864), lack of swimming skills (AOR=2.847; 95% CI:1.534–5.283), inadequate parental supervision near water bodies (AOR=2.692; 95% CI:1.421–5.098), unsafe recreational practices around rivers and streams (AOR=3.981; 95% CI:2.036–7.783), and poor knowledge of water safety measures (AOR=2.174; 95% CI:1.142–4.138). Water-related injuries are highly prevalent among in-school adolescents in Ijebu North Local Government Area. Environmental exposure, unsafe behaviours, poor supervision, and inadequate safety knowledge significantly contribute to injury occurrence. Strengthening school-based water safety education, environmental protection policies, parental supervision, and adolescent injury prevention interventions is essential to reducing the burden of water-related injuries among adolescents.