[Frequency of the accidents in children under 15 years old referring to the emergency center of Ali Ebn Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan 2000-2001]

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, accidents and injuries are the main community health problems and are also the most important cause of children death worldwide including in our country [Iran]. To prevent these accidents from occuring an epidemiological investigation concerning the type of accident and its relevant risk factors including personal characters, time and place condiotions are warranted which were the goal of this study. This research was a cross-sectional study that performed on all children under 15 years old during a period of one year referring to the emergency ward of Ali Ebn Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan from January 13th of 2000 to January 13th 2001. The patients accompaniers were interviewed using a questionnaire and the data were then analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive statistical method. The results showed that, 69.6% of injured children were male and most of them [71.6%] were living in the urban areas of Rafsanjan. More than half of the accidents [58.8%] occurred outdoor and most of the victims 45.5% were more than 7 years old. The higher frequencies caused by fall [34.1%], and collision [26.7%] and the smallest ones by animals [0.7%]. Since in cases of accidents children are especially vulnerable any prevention programs should be based on teachers training and also on childhood education programs with strong parent involvement