Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 87 (1996)Childhood Home Accidents and Injuries at Al Ain CityStudent Authors: Afra Saeed Al SharyaniFaculty Supervisors: Dr. A. Bener, Dr. N. PughAbstract:Objective To determine the types of accidents and injuries at home and the associatedrisk factors.Methods Cross sectional study was conducted in Al Ain city. All trauma pediatricgroups aged (0-14) were selected during 2nd November to 4th December 1996 over aperiod of 5 years.Results The most common types of injuries among children in Al Ain were superficialinjuries 80(26.5%), penetrating wounds 74 (14.6%), fire 38(12.6%), chemical burns(1.7%), fractures 61(20.2%), other type of injuries 44(14.6%). Majority of accidentsoccurred in the afternoon 104 (34.4%). Most of the accidents occurred in the garden68(22.5%). In most of the cases the child was playing with his sibling 122(40.4%). Inmost cases the accidents was discovered immediately 237(78.5%). Limb injury wasthe most common site of injury 157 (52%), followed by head and neck injuries 90(29.8%). In a large number of the cases the injuries were mild 145 (48%). In thevast majority of the accidents the hospitalization period was only a few hours 233(77.2%). First aid was performed in a large number of cases 227 (75.2%).Conclusion Childhood injuires represent a significant public health problem in Al AinDistrict. It is important to have an intensive public education to sensitize thepopulation to safety procedure. This will reduce the incidence and minimize thesocioeconomic burden incurred in the management of the injured child.