Home injury risks to young children in Karachi, Pakistan: a pilot study. Issue 11 (30th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Uzma Rahim; Chandran, Aruna; Zia, Nukhba; Huang, Cheng-Ming; Ramirez, Sarah Stewart De; Feroze, Asher; Hyder, Adnan Ali; Razzak, Junaid Abdul
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 98:Issue 11(2013)
• Page Start: 881
• Page End: 886
• Publication Date: 2013-08-30
• Subjects: Accident & Emergency -- Injury Prevention; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2013-303907
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To pilot an in-home unintentional injury hazard assessment tool and to quantify potential injury risks for young children in a low-income urban setting. Methods: Two low-income neighbourhoods in Karachi, Pakistan, were mapped, and families with at least one child between the ages of 12 and 59 months were identified. Using existing available home injury risk information, an in-home injury risk assessment tool was drafted and tailored to the local setting. Home injury assessments were done in June–July 2010 after obtaining informed consent. Results: Approximately 75.4% of mothers were educated through at least grade 12. The main risks identified were stoves within the reach of the child (n=279, 55.5%), presence of open buckets in the bathroom (n=240, 47.7%) within the reach of the child, and pedestal fans accessible to the child (n=242, 48.1%). In terms of safety equipment, a first-aid box with any basic item was present in 70% of households, but only 4.8% of households had a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Conclusions: This was the first time that an in-home, all-unintentional injury risk assessment tool was tailored and applied in the context of a low-income community in Pakistan. There was a significant burden of hazards present in the homes in these communities, representing an important opportunity for injury prevention. This pilot may have future relevance to other LMICs where child injury prevention is a critical need.