A Study on Epidemiology of Unintentional Childhood Injury at One of the Districts of Gujarat State: An Indian Council of Medical Research Task Force Study.

CONTEXT

Childhood injuries are a less explored area of public health. In the presence of public health problems such as communicable and noncommunicable diseases, childhood injury has gained less attention from the health system.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of various types of unintentional injuries (UI) amongst children and to assess the factors associated with same.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study was conducted at Ahmedabad District of Gujarat State, and this is a cross-sectional sStudy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The current study was a part of a multicentric national level research supported by Indian Council of Medical Research. Total 11 sites were selected across India, which all followed a uniform methodology. One of the selected sites was Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2341 households. The study participants were children aged from 6 months up to 18 years. A total of 3018 children and their caretakers were interviewed using software-based questionnaire.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Statistical analysis was performed by frequencies and Percentage, Chi-square Test, Z-Test.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of injuries was 7.62%. Gender and area of residence were significantly associated with UI. Fall-related injuries had the highest prevalence (3.38%), followed by road traffic injuries (RTI) (1.62%). The prevalence of burn-related injuries and poisoning was higher among females compared to males. No mortality was observed due to UI.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of the injuries were of minor or trivial type. Fall-related injury and RTI were the most common types of UIs among children.