Home-related injuries among children under 18 years old: knowledge, attitudes and practice in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction. Home-related injuries today represent a major medical and social problem, and are constantly growing. According to the WHO 2004, an estimated 424 000 people of all ages died from falls worldwide, approximately 1500 children each year and is the leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 9 years old and 15 to 19 years old. Most injuries among young children occur in the home environment and more than 95% of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Every year in the Republic of Moldova more than 40,000 children arrive at the hospital as a result of domestic accidents. Aim of study. To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents with children aged under 18 years old regarding home related injuries and elaboration of preventive measures. Methods and materials. A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents, grandparents and other caregivers with children aged 0-18 years, during October-December 2021. It was applied a KAP questionnaire (knowledge, attitudes and practices) developed on the basis of a review of the literature, applied and distributed online on social networks. The following variables were analysed: demographics data, level of supervision, perception of the accident risks and risk factors in the household; risk awareness and knowledge of first aid measures in these situations among children. Results. The questionnaire was completed by 423 respondents mostly by parents (77,3%), close relatives (21,7%) and grandparents (1%), mostly aged between 25- 45 years old (82,6%), of which 94,3% female and 5,7% male, mostly from urban (81%). About 45% of respondents mentioned that never left alone their children or without supervision, in 20,5% less than 5 min, 16,7% for 5-30 min, 14,4% for more than 30 min. The most common house-related injuries among children is falling (57,4%), followed by stings with sharp objects (6,8%), burns (4,2%), fractures (2,4%), drowning (1,2%), suffocation (0,2%) and other (27, 6%).The majority consider home a risky environment in which a child could be injured (68,3%), while 15,4% don't know, and 16,3% not risky at all. First aid measures are known in approx. 70%. The general state of health of children after injury is considered mostly as good (79,9%) and acceptable (14,9%). One third of the children (31,4%) who suffered a home-related injury was examined and discharged without treatment, 14,4%- with further observation, while only 4%- hospitalized and treated in hospital only. Conclusion. This study underlines the knowledge and attitude of parents to home-related injury among children in the last year in Moldova. The first step in preventing home-related injuries among children is by raising awareness among parents and caregivers in regard to risks of injuries among children in the home environment, and it is important to implement safety measures for the most in risk group ages.