Childhood unintentional injuries: pattern, socio-demographic factors, other relevant factors and the knowledge of injury prevention among caregivers of children admitted to Lady Ridgeway Hospital

Abstract

A hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among children admitted to hospital following an unintentional injury In August- September 2007.A total of 425 cases were selected from consecutive sampling method. Data collection tool was an interviewer administered questionnaire with a check list. The commonest mechanism of injury was falls (n-211;49.6 percent followed by RTA and burn injury with 13.6 percent and 9.6 percent respectively. Most children had contusions (n=123; 21.1 percent while abrasions & contusions were seen among 16 percent in each . But 87.8 percent (n=373) of the children suffered only a single injury, and 411 (96.7 percent) were the only victim, as well as 92.9 percent ( n=395) had to undergo any type of invasive procedure following the event. Head injury was the frequently 179 ( 31.7 percent injured part of body followed by the limb injuries ( 26 percent). Nearly 76 percent 93.22) of the victims were discharged within 3 days of admissions while injury following RTA & burns had to stay for longer periods. Younger the child, more frequent were the injuries, (n=173;40.7 percent) but at 10- 12 years only 12 percent were injured ( n=51), the mean age of children admitted was 5 & 16 years. Male to female ratio was 1;6 ;1 with significant association ( p<0.05) with age, sex and mechanism of injury. Children of social class 4 was seen 40.9 percent ( 40.9 percent & the mother was unemployed among 86.5 percent ( n=365) children . Only about 11.5 percent mothers & fathers in each had an education less than grade 5. 64 percent (m n=271) of the injuries were in home accident category with living room & garden being the commonest place in and around the house. ( n=78; 29.3 percent) . Out of those that occurred outside the home 60 percent ( n=91) were road traffic accidents. There were 18.4 percent (n=78) each on Monday’s & Tuesday’s with maximum incidents occurring between 12hrs.( n=191;45.3 percent) most of the children ( n=331, 87.1 percent) got injured while being under the supervision of a caregiver. In this sample of children 88 percent were from families of 1 or 2 children