Predictors of nonfatal assault injury to public school teachers in Los Angeles city

Background School violence is a well-recognized concern for student safety, although less recognized as an occupational hazard. This study examines school characteristics that increase the odds of nonfatal teacher assaults and the influence of community crime on these relationships. Methods Assaults from California Employers' Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness were linked to California Department of Education data for Los Angeles City public schools. Community crime rates were calculated from Los Angeles Police Department data. Random-intercept logistic models were used to examine associations between school characteristics and teacher assault injury across community crime levels. Results Teacher assault was associated with teaching staff's total years of educational service, gender and education level. Community crime surrounding the schools influenced the relationships between teacher assault injury and school, student and teacher characteristics. Conclusions School-based programs to reduce violence on school grounds may be more effective in collaboration with programs to prevent community crime. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:932-939, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.