Causes of childhood unintentional injuries in urban cities of Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Unintentional childhood injuries are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and its incidence is higher in low to middle income countries. To determine the frequency of childhood unintentional injuries in pediatric units of two tertiary care hospitals. Prospective cross sectional study in pediatric surgical unit of Mayo Hospital, Lahore [01 July, 2012 to 30 September, 2012] and Children's Hospital, PIMS, Islamabad [01 October, 2012 to 31 December, 2012] July to December 2012. All children presenting with unintentional injuries to the pediatric surgical emergency of above two hospitals were included in study. Unintentional Injuries were [burns, RTAs, falls, piercing sharps etc.] are accidental injuries that occur without any planned intention of someone to harm children. Children who were previously treated for unintentional injuries, unexplained injuries, medico-legal cases were excluded from the study. An informed consent was taken [from the parents or care-givers] and the questionnaire was filled by the duty doctor through interview. The demographic data was taken. Age, Gender and maternal educational status were measured Frequency of all variables was measured and simple frequency was measured. The data was analyzed in SPSS 11 version. A total of 600 patients [300 from each selected hospital] were included in the study. The predominant cause of unintentional injury was burn [37.2%] followed by fall [21.5%] and pedestrian hit [16.1%]. Maximum unintentional injuries were noted in 6-10 years [45%] and minimum in 0-1 years [1%]. Male children were affected more [62%] as compared to females. Maternal education was low or nil in 40% cases with majority [46.6%] belonging to poor socioeconomic group. Home was the most frequent place of injury [58.7%]. This study showed that 37% of the unintentional injuries were due to burning and the most common place of injury was the home which may be reduced by creating awareness in public and especially by educating the mothers