Unintentional Household Injuries Among Children Under Twelve Years of Age, and Their Mothers' Health Seeking Behavior: A Cross Sectional Survey Conducted at Military Hospital, Rawalpindi

Abstract

Background: Unintentional injuries among children cause a large burden of mortality and morbidity. Environmental factors play an important role in causing these injuries. The mortality rate from unintentional injuries in low income countries is nearly double than in the high income countries.Objectives: To assess frequency of unintentional household injuries among children and mothers' health seeking behavior in different types of injuries.Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in Military Hospital Rawalpindi from September 2015 to February 2016. A total of 116 mothers were interviewed having at least one child less than 12 years of age who has had sustained any household injury in last three months. A structured questionnaire was used for the study covering various aspects of the injury sustained and their health seeking behavior, after taking verbal consent from the participants. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS 22. A p < 0.05 was considered significant for a result.Results: Of all the 116 participants, 68(58.6%) were males and 48(41.4%) were females with 36(31%) from rural and 80(69%) from urban area of residence .Mean age of the children was 5.74±2.78.Most common injuries suffered in order of decreasing frequency were fall related injuries 48(41.4%), cuts/wound/bruises 41(35.3%), burns 18 (15.5%),choking 8(6.9%) and poisoning 1(0.9% ).Most of the injuries were sustained at evening time 44(37.9%) and mostly 78(67%) when the child was not accompanied by an adult.. As far as, management is concerned 48(41.4%) of the injuries were managed at home rest taken to some health facility.Conclusion: The most common accidental household injuries were falls. Most of the injuries were managed at home adequately but in case of severe injuries mothers seek help from a hospital or nearby clinic.