Evaluation of community based intervention for the protection of children from small arms and explosive devices during the war: observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of a community-based intervention aimed at reducing the risk of unintentional injuries caused by small arms and explosive devices accessible to children during the 1991-1995 war in Croatia.


METHODS
From May 5 to June 15 in 1994 and 1995, we performed a cross-sectional survey on exposure of the children in Croatia to different small arms and explosive devices, using specially prepared questionnaires. The survey was conducted in Dubrovnik-Neretva and Karlovac counties, where community-based intervention was carried out, and Lika-Senj and Sisak-Moslavina counties, where only national intervention was implemented. The sample included a total of 5,317 parents and 2,581 children. The response rate was 98%. All participants were asked to give answers according to current situation.


RESULTS
Approximately a third of children in the counties without community-based intervention and a fifth in the counties with community-based intervention could access small arms and explosive devices at home. Boys were more exposed than girls (p=0.001). In the communities with community-based intervention, children were less exposed to the devices, such as small-arms, hand grenades, and explosives, which were the main cause of injuries. In 1994, parents in counties without community-based intervention handled weapons in front of their children in 45% cases vs 31% of those in the counties with community-based intervention (p<0.001). In 1995, the percentages were 44 and 32, respectively (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is impossible to quantify the exact amount of risk reduction due to health intervention alone, community-based intervention reduced the exposure of children to weapons.
Mujkić
Aida
A
Andrija Stampar School of Public Health, Rockefellerova 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Aida.Mujkic@snz.hr
Vuletić
Gorka
G
Kozarić-Kovacić
Dragica
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014857:Warfare; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*