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Profile and Risk Factor Analysis of Unintentional Injuries in Children

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Abstract

Objective

To study the profile and various risk factors associated with unintentional injuries in children.

Methods

The study is a cross sectional analysis of data collected from 351 children presenting with unintentional injury to a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai, India. Data were collected about variables based on Haddon Phase Factor Matrix — host, environment and agent factors. Proportions for categorical variables across various groups were compared using Chi square test or Fisher’s exact test. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the factors.

Results

Falls (36 %) were the most common injuries followed by bites (23 %). Majority of children were school going children (38 %) followed by preschool children (29 %). Forty-seven percent were from lower socioeconomic class. Commonest place of injury was home (48 %) and the commonest time was evening (49 %). Though there was male predominance in injuries, the difference across gender did not vary significantly (p = 0.15). Poisonings were significantly more common in infants and toddlers and in rural population (p < 0.001); kerosene being the commonest agent. Rural population is at more risk of bites compared to urban (p < 0.001); dog bites being the commonest followed by scorpion bites. Foreign bodies were significantly more common in upper and middle socioeconomic class and bites, in lower socioeconomic class (p < 0.005). Injuries from rural area and lower socioeconomic class were more serious, requiring hospitalization; they were also more likely to present late to the hospital (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Profile of injuries varies widely as per the variations in agent, host and environmental factors. Socio-environmental, economic conditions and infancy-toddler age groups are predisposing risk factors for bites and poisoning. Although rural areas and lower socioeconomic class population are more vulnerable to serious types of injuries, they still lack essential basic medical care.

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Contributions

RB: Drafted the manuscript and conducted the study; BS: Supervised the study and gave final approval for manuscript; MS: Did the statistical analysis and reviewed the manuscript. BS will act as guarantor for the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, 400004, India

    Rahul Bhamkar

  2. Department of Pediatrics, MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai, India

    Bageshree Seth

  3. MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India

    Maninder Singh Setia

Authors
  1. Rahul Bhamkar
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  2. Bageshree Seth
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  3. Maninder Singh Setia
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Correspondence to Rahul Bhamkar.

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Bhamkar, R., Seth, B. & Setia, M.S. Profile and Risk Factor Analysis of Unintentional Injuries in Children. Indian J Pediatr 83, 1114–1120 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2159-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2159-2

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