A study on Unintentional injury and its impact among Children in Thirumazhisai, Chennai, India

Abstract

Injury-related death accounts for 9% of mortality, worldwide. Unintentional injury accounts for a major part of injury-related disability-adjusted life years. Unintentional injury in children is of importance because it contributes a major part to child mortality and can also potentially have long-term effects. A cross-sectional study was conducted to find the incidence of unintentional injury in children of age 1 year to 18 years, in a sub-urban area, Thirumazhisai, in Chennai, India. The study was conducted from January 21, 2019, to March 21, 2019. The study was conducted on 144 participants, which included the primary caretaker of the child with unintentional injury, which occurred within the last 3 months, using pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire. The data was collected and analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. The study results showed that among the 144 participants, 75 were males and 69 were females. The cause of injury was recorded and classified as those due to playing outdoors (38.9%), domestic accidents (25%), sports-related injury (8.3%) and other injuries (30.6%). The commonest injury was abrasions (45.1%) followed by cuts & lacerations (30.6). Commonest body parts affected were hands (47.9%) and legs (46.5%). Around 30% had to take leave from school for up to 2 days, 26% had to take leave for more than 2 days and 25% had local pain. The injury was treated at healthcare centre in only 52.8% of the study group. Unintentional injuries sustained while playing outside were more common among caretakers who had only up to school education and those who were unemployed/housewives. Health education and awareness creation can be done for primary caretakers on the prevention of unintentional injuries as it can affect their schooling and create financial problem for the family.