ABSTRACT
The harms resulted from home injuries are a major factor in child mortality. The current study aims to evaluate the factors associated with the knowledge and performance level of mothers in terms of adopting preventive behaviors to avoid home injuries. The target population of this descriptive - analytical study is all mothers of preschool children suffering from home injuries referring to Imam Hossein and Haft-E-Tir hospitals. Mothers' data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. After dividing the knowledge level and the status of mothers' preventive behaviors into two groups, the relationship between factors was assessed by using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression and the status of mothers preventive behaviors were studied as well. Finally, 230 mothers [mean age 5.2 +/- 29.4] were studied. 75.0 of them had good awareness, and 56.0% also had a good performance. Mother's absence for at least 8 hours per day [0.12 = OR], increase of the number of preschool children [0.03 = OR] and employed mother [0.01 = OR] are the things that hinder preventive behaviors in home injuries.While the history of home injuries during the past 3 weeks [13.3 = OR], mother's appropriate awareness of preventive behaviors [28.9 = OR] and high-income families [2.4 = OR] lead to the adoption of preventive behaviors by mothers. Awareness is the only modifiable factor and it can be improved by educational interventions. Support of assistance and social welfare agencies for employed mothers can improve the current status of preventive behaviors in home injuries.