LAUSR

Aims Home related unintentional injuries are a major threat to the health of children worldwide and are largely preventable. Accidental injuries were reported as the fourth leading cause of death among children in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to identify home related risk factors for accidental injuries in the paediatric age group. Method This hospital based cross sectional descriptive study was carried out at Lady Ridgeway hospital for children, Colombo over six months (2018 January- June). Care givers of 400 children were interviewed using a pretested, multi-structured questionnaire regarding demographic, social and home related risk factors for five domains of child injuries – burns, electrocution, drowning, poisoning, and other accidental injuries. Results The majority of interviewees were mothers (385, 96.3%). Previous home accidents were reported in 91 (22.5%) children. The majority of mothers were housewives (290, 72.5%). Burns related risk factors were – unsafe kettles (121, 30.3%), free access to hot water (50, 12.5%), fire crackers (116, 29%), lighters (298, 74%), tea pots (300, 75%) and bike silences (118, 20.5%). Electrocution related risk factors were – easy access to unsafe electric socket guards (179, 44.8%), and unprotected wires (15, 3.8%). Drowning related risk factors were –unprotected water sources (44, 11%), risk for flooding (53, 31.2%) and open water containers (14, 3.5%). Acute poisoning related risk factors were – unsafe storage of medicines (356, 89%) and household chemicals (373, 93.3%) and poisonous plants in home garden (13, 3.3%). Risk factors for other accidental injuries were – play with small objects (297, 74.3%), pets (252, 63%), and access to sharp objects (321, 80.3%) and button batteries (103, 25.8%). Conclusion The majority of risk factors for all domains of accidental injuries in children are preventable and effectiveness of interventions to avoid these risk factors should be evaluated.