Domestic Accidents in an Urban Health Training Centre.

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to characterize the occurrence of domestic accidents and to find out the common local practices to manage domestic accidents. It was a longitudinal study conducted in the health training centre area of Community Medicine Department, RIMS, Imphal having a total households of 712 with a population of 4241. Each family was visited two monthly for a period of one year. Domestic accident was taken as an unintentional injury or injuries occurring at home and its premises. Data were recorded in a semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaire and face to face interview was conducted from the affected individuals or from the available eldest adult or responsible person belonging to the particular household in case of children. There were a total of 2257 males and 1948 females comprising of 53.7% and 43.3% of the study populations respectively. Two hundred and eighty seven domestic accidents were recorded during the study period with the annual incidence rate of 68.3 per 1000 population per year. The occurrence of domestic accidents was significantly higher in the age group 6-14 years (49.5%) and people living in kutcha houses (57.1%). Cuts and lacerations (57.1%) was the most common accident encountered followed by falls (18.5%), burn and scald (13.6%). In majority of these accidents, health care providers were not consulted as the accidents were not usually severe. The study reported no disability and mortality resulting from domestic accidents. The practices of the people to manage domestic accidents like application of lime, toothpaste and turmeric paste to open wounds are potentially hazardous. However, they are aware of some of the basic first aid procedures like immobilization of bone injury and application of pressure to stop bleeding.