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.

Keywords: childhood injury, epidemiology, injury education, prevention