Community survey of childhood injuries in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background and purpose Childhood injury is of great significance globally and epidemiological data on the subject in most developing countries are inadequate. Informed demographics can help direct resources toward research and programs most likely to reduce the burden.Methods A survey to determine the prevalence, mechanism of injury, and intervention measures was conducted using pretested questionnaires distributed to consented parents/guardians of children 15 years and younger who presented at six selected hospitals (representing public and private and low or high income clientele hospitals) for healthcare needs for any reason. Results were analyzed using Epi Info (6.04) and SPSS software (version 15).Results There were 1088 respondents comprising parents (96.5%) and guardians (3.5%). Most were 21-40 years old (86.2%) and 51.9% of them had more than three children living with them. Over 50% had witnessed injuries of their wards within the previous 12 months and about a quarter admitted that a child was injured more than once. The risk of injury was twice in the male child mainly in the 1-4 years age group. Most injuries (65.2%) occurred at home, with 98% being unintentional from falls (62.6%) and 71.9% of the times the parents witnessed the injury as it occurred. The intentional injuries (2%) followed assaults during fights among peers. Treatment was provided at home in 58.5% of children by the parents, whereas only 27.5% took their wards to the hospital; 12.6% received treatment at patent medicine stores and 1.3% from the herbal/ traditional bone setters' home. Two deaths resulted from the injuries from fall, whereas six children had residual deformity as a result of home injury. Three-quarter (74.8%) of the respondents believed childhood injuries were preventable.Conclusion Childhood injuries are not uncommon in the community. The significant proportions of respondents using inappropriate means of treatment and who believed that injuries are not preventable represent targets for health education and counseling in the community. Ann

Caregivers’ Perception of Unintentional Child and Adolescent Injuries in Enugu, Nigeria

“…A staggering high number of the interviewees recalled different forms of injuries in their wards in the last 12 months occurring once or more times. A similar finding was reported by Abdur-Rahman et al [12] in a community survey of childhood injuries in North-Central region of Nigeria.…”

“…Age was a determinant factor of injuries among the study population with most occurring in children between the ages 1 to 4 years. Most children between toddlerhood and preschool age tend to be exploring the environment as well as trying new games and climbing heights hence chances are that these groups of children are more predisposed to having injuries as observed in the current study and similar researches [12].…”

“…The study was undertaken using a semi-structured interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaire designed for the study which was adapted from similar previous studies [12] [18].…”

“…It has been reported that cases of childhood injuries particularly road traffic crashes and falls constitute the leading causes for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYS) lost for children [9]. In many African countries including Nigeria, injuries rank among the top common contributors of child and adolescent mortality [10] [11] [12] [13] [14].…”

“…There is paucity of national epidemiological data on the magnitude of childhood injuries including fatal and non-fatal cases in our setting, with many seek- and traditional healers leaving only a few especially the severely injured presenting to hospitals [12].…”