Accidents Increase in Inadequate Housing Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Housing is an important determinant of health, and substandard housing is a major public health issue. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of home accidents, and to evaluate the associations between housing conditions and home accidents in a health centre region in Ankara. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, we collected data from a representative sample of 210 houses using two standard questionnaires, which was used in the WHO's Large Analysis and Review of European Housing and Health Status (LARES) project. In total, 528 people participated. Home accidents were self-reported and questioned for the previous year. We developed a composite index to assess the overall housing conditions. Housing conditions were accepted "inadequate" if the score was below the median. We developed a logistic regression model to predict the housing-related factors in accidents. Results: Of the participants, 60.4% were female, 89.0% had health insurance, and 56.1% were married. Fiftyeight point three percent of the respondents were living in inadequate housing conditions. The prevalence of home accidents during previous year was 21.2%. The first three most common accident types were falls, cuts, collision/striking and the mostly injured body parts were arm/upper limb, leg/lower limb, surface area of the body. Some of the items which have been involved in these accidents were construction features, kitchen equipment, and knives. The accidents were more common among females, people who reported fatigue, in kitchens with too little workplace and houses with noise problems(p<0.05). The odds of home accidents were 1.8 times more (95% CI:1.1-2.8) among residents living in inadequate housing conditions. The logistic model showed that, accidents were 2.1 times more (95% CI: 1.1-4.2) in those living in houses where adaptations for physical constraints were lacking, and 1.9 times more among females (95% CI: 1.1-3.3). Conclusion: Home accidents were common and related to housing conditions. We recommended that factors that can cause accidents in residential buildings be taken into consideration during the construction phase through cooperation of the municipality, the construction sector and the health personnel. This will enable everyone to benefit from these arrangements in the house.