Profile of Unintentional Injuries at the Household Level among Under-Five Children in Faridkot, India: An Urban-Rural Comparison

Priyanka Singlaa; Saras Sanchayab; Shalini Devgan; Rupali Bhatiac; Ramnika Aggarwal

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20257

Priyanka Singlaa Dept. of Community Medicine, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana
Saras Sanchayab Dept. of Community Medicine, Gouridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Durgapur, West Bengal
Shalini Devgan Dept. of Community Medicine, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, Punjab
Rupali Bhatiac Dept. of Community Medicine, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, Punjab
Ramnika Aggarwal Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Bathinda, Punjab

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20257

Keywords: Accidental injury, Child, Cross-sectional study, Household

Abstract

Introduction: Unintentional injuries, caused by energy transfers, cause over 2 lakh deaths annually, with drowning and falls being top causes in India. In impoverished neighborhoods, inadequate preventive measures, unstable living, and poor educational conditions contribute to the risk. Hence, this study was conducted to estimate the proportion of under-five children having unintentional injuries along with injury profile at household level in urban and rural areas.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an institution's field practice area from May 2019 to April 2020, focusing on households with under-five children. A total of 280 mother-child duos were included, with a 1:1.7 ratio for representation of both urban and rural populations. The study used a self-designed household survey questionnaire to assess injury profiles among under-five children. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the variation of variables across urban and rural areas.

Results: Out of 280 households, injury was present in 115 (100%) urban and 155 (93.9%) rural houses. Overall, 270 (96.43%) of households reported at least one child injury event. Majority i.e. 254 (90.71%) households reported falls with a 907.14 injury rate/1000/year.

Conclusions: Falls were the most common type of injury reported, with a high injury rate per 1000 children per year. Health education among adolescents, parents, school teachers, and district health authorities must address causes, severity, complications, and prevention of unintentional injury. Child injuries can be prevented through public health initiatives, requiring collaboration between international communities, governments, and civil society to create safer societies.